The Waste to Energy (WtE) Roadmap for South Africa identifies 20 alternative waste treatment technologies – with the potential for micro to industrial-scale application.

According to experts, most of the MSW is disposed at sanitary landfill sites as it is the common and cheapest method of waste disposal in many developing African nations.

“In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), it is estimated that 62 million tons of MSW are generated annually, at an average rate of 1.22 kg per capita−1 day−1 (Dladla et al., 2016; Idowu et al., 2019).”

Embracing a circular economy promotes opportunities to re-manufacture and reuse end-of-life consumer products instead of having them end up in a landfill. This immensely reduces landfill waste and decreases the lifetime the energy cost and emissions across the manufacturing sector.

BIOGAS: From Linear to Circular

The 7 pillars of the circular economy, encompasses, mobilizing various fields; economic development, employment policies, skills transfer, social cohesion, transport, land development; and more broadly: sustainable development, education, energy and climate.

Waste-to-energy plants burn municipal solid waste (MSW), often called garbage or trash, to produce steam, and the steam is used to power an electric generator turbine.

On-site production of renewable energy in the form of biogas, is the perfect way to get rid of waste and reduce your carbon footprint. Landfill gas to energy (LFGE) projects are gaining traction in South Africa, to diversify the just energy transition and accelerate the move to a green economy.

Enhancement of products that otherwise have a single use and often cost money to dispose of, will be the prime feedstock for the development and growth of the African WtE sector. A significant reduction in sludge volumes and even the reuse of digestate for agricultural use can sometimes be an added benefit – biogas plants have thus been coined a multi-component fertilizer.

Waste to Energy providing a sanitary service to the community by treating non-recyclable combustible waste and pollutants, which would otherwise end up in landfills.

WtE will benefit you in many ways:

  • Enhanced profit on the inherent value of products discarded.
  • Reduced demand for waste removal services. 
  • Reduce energy consumption or complete independence.
  • Regulatory compliance via sustainable environmental, social and governance (ESG)

Areas of Application

  • Meat & Fish Industry
  • Dairy Industry
  • Fruit Processing
  • Brewing and Soft Drink Industry
  • Confectionery Industries
  • Paper and Pulp Processing

Here at MEB Energy, we’re all about sustainable innovation practices for an environmentally sound solution that will grow with your needs. Want to know more?