Justin Bott | CEO | Interwaste | mail me |
Sustainability has become the watchword for South African corporates. They now grapple with both the public’s demand for environmentally friendly products and the requirements of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting. However, this shift is doing more than meeting these pressures.
It is fostering collaboration between waste producers and managers to develop solutions that align with environmental and regulatory expectations. At the same time, it is reshaping business practices to support a more circular and responsible economy. And it is not hard to understand why.
Packaging the problem
Globally, 1.05 billion tonnes of food go to waste. In South Africa alone, nearly 10.3 million tonnes of food are wasted annually. The packaging that accompanies this waste has worsened the strain on already challenged waste management systems. Food packaging waste is now a growing concern that requires urgent attention.
As a result, companies are rethinking their business models. They are moving away from the traditional take-make-dispose approach. Instead, they are adopting systems that minimise waste, conserve energy and raw materials, and reintegrate excess back into the production cycle. This is the essence of the ‘circular economy’. This principle finds practical expression.
For example, we offer scalable solutions such as composting. This allows the organic fraction of packaging waste, often linked to food disposal, to be diverted from landfill. It is then transformed into nutrient-rich compost that replenishes agricultural soils.
In parallel, Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) technology converts non-recyclable food packaging waste into a fuel substitute. This fuel is used in industrial applications such as cement kilns. It provides a valuable alternative to landfilling and reduces reliance on fossil fuels. Furthermore, today’s market is heavily influenced by consumer perception.
Innovation in food packaging
Demand for sustainable products is shaping packaging trends. In fact, according to research, consumers are willing to spend 9.7% more on sustainably produced or sourced goods. This is because 85% report experiencing the disruptive effects of climate change in their daily lives.
Given these shifts, companies are using data insights to drive innovation in packaging. They are designing sustainable options using biodegradable, compostable and recyclable materials.
Many are also developing reusable systems that support a zero-waste-to-landfill approach. These efforts directly address the impact of food packaging waste. However, for South Africa to achieve its zero waste to landfill goal by 2030, the stakes are high. The country must correctly divert 90% of its current landfill waste. This means going beyond basic recycling and reuse.
Companies must also embrace beneficiation technologies. These approaches will create value-adding opportunities. In doing so, South Africa stands to gain environmentally, socially and economically.
Simply put, achieving a zero-waste, sustainable country starts with better management of waste at its source, supported by innovative solutions, as well as an effective recycling system and a widespread culture of responsible consumption.
Tackling food packaging waste
We need to start at a company level, where organisations examine their entire value chain to see how and where waste is created and therefore reduced, as well as where waste can be reused, recycled or repurposed. This approach, when applied correctly, will not only divert a large amount of our waste from landfill disposal, but it also has the potential to create numerous environmental and social opportunities for South Africans, including economic ones.
While tackling food packaging waste requires navigating a complex web of environmental, economic and social challenges, meaningful progress is within reach – if industry leaders, policymakers, and consumers unite behind bold, innovative action.
Certainly, as a waste management company, Interwaste is not just a participant in this process but a key driver of the transition to a truly circular economy, leveraging technologies like RDF and composting to turn waste into opportunity. We remain committed to delivering sustainable solutions that make a lasting impact.
