Food Waste to Bio-stimulant in South Africa

In South Africa, 10 million tons of food waste are generated annually, exacerbating significant water resource challenges. These issues not only pose critical environmental risks but also present untapped socio-economic opportunities. This project tackles these challenges by employing an innovative framework to develop scalable solutions for food waste valorisation using bioreactors. By converting food waste into organic fertilizer—diverting waste from landfills, reducing land use, and lowering the energy required for waste disposal—the initiative promotes energy sustainability and food security through the development of biodigestate.

The proposed research protocol is centred on optimizing bioreactor technologies to maximize nutrient recovery from food waste while minimizing energy consumption and environmental impact. It will also include a detailed mapping of food waste systems in South Africa, examining flows across production, distribution, and consumption to pinpoint inefficiencies and opportunities for intervention. Furthermore, the project will evaluate the alignment of existing policies with food waste, water, and energy management objectives, identifying gaps and opportunities to foster the transition to sustainable practices.