From organic waste to energy: A feasible option in South Africa?

Abstract

Waste in South Africa is disposed of in landfills, which produces unwanted landfill gas (CH4) and leachate emissions. Biological treatment of the Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste (OFMSW) is an established technology in Europe, applying anaerobic digestion (AD) to produce nutrient-rich sludges and biogas. The aim of the study presented here was to investigate the biogas production when kitchen waste, and kitchen waste combined with wet paper waste and later only dry paper waste was digested, operating a laboratory scale anaerobic digester (Vol: 5 L). The results showed the higher the loading rate to the reactor, the higher the volume of gas produced. The highest gas production amounted to 3.3 L/d. This finding corroborates the results as obtained by many researchers globally, stating that the OFMSW can be digested to biogas. The biogas produced can be harvested to generate heat and electricity. With the prediction that Eskom will not be able to supply the power needed for South Africa in the years to come, the mindset of the waste companies/industries and municipalities in South Africa should thus change from: “waste to landfill” to “waste to energy”