Survey of Food Waste from Informal Settlements in and around Greenwood Park, KZN

In collaboration with local independent waste management companies, collectors, and the community, we conducted a comprehensive survey of informal settlements around Greenwood Park in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Over three independent site visits, we engaged with residents, caretakers, and community leaders to understand the volume of food waste generated and the existing strategies for managing it.

The district, home to approximately 8,000 households with an average of 2.5 people per dwelling, generates an estimated 0.5 kg of food waste per person daily. This totals about 10 tons of food waste each day, constituting roughly 30% of the area's total waste.

While the region faces significant challenges with sanitation infrastructure, some waste collection is managed by local operators contracted by the Municipality through Cleansing and Solid Waste Services (CSW, formerly DSW). These collectors are tasked with transferring waste from pickup points to transfer hubs but are often overwhelmed by the sheer volume. Although they value their jobs, they require support to manage the waste they cannot handle. Uncollected waste accumulates near homes, clogs rivers and streams, and is often discarded onto walkways and roads, exacerbating health and environmental risks.

NuCarbon was warmly received as a potential partner to help alleviate these waste management challenges. However, the key hurdles to implementing a solution are securing project funding and establishing offtake agreements for the chemicals and products derived from the waste.

Our preliminary analysis indicates that this area alone has the potential to produce up to 1,000 liters of bioethanol per day from food waste. This bioethanol could serve the community as a source of fuel, sanitation products, or as a sellable commodity for upgrading by other companies. The potential health and well-being benefits for the residents are substantial, with reduced waste accumulation leading to cleaner, healthier living conditions.

NuCarbon is currently in discussions with the Durban Municipality to establish payment programs that would fund additional waste collection and separation initiatives in underserved areas like Greenwood Park. By addressing these challenges, the project promises a transformative impact on both the community and the environment.