Global population growth is skyrocketing. In 2025, there will be approximately 1.8 billion more middle class consumers. These consumers will be adding to the existing mounds of waste – a problem that will be compounded by an increasing reliance on packaged products. In 2013, reports indicated that only 25% of 11 billion tons of waste was recycled. Encouragingly, this figure is set to double by 2025 (vs. 2005). This increase is being driven by growth in diversion, recycling, the recovery of valuable secondary raw materials, waste-to-energy activities, and e-waste and sustainable packaging strategies. Given that 70% of global waste is currently landfilled, however, there is massive scope to increase the amount of waste that is recycled.
The Local Context
In South Africa, we are currently looking to increase municipal solid waste recycling by 3.5 times, and double industrial waste recycling. There is clearly a move towards more responsible waste strategies – and a realisation of the commercial benefits of such strategies. In 2011, South Africa recovered R8.2 billion worth of recycling resources. At present, the country generates R25.2 billion worth of waste a year – with about 90% sent to landfill. Without doubt, there is still a lot to be done with regards to putting SA on a more sustainable – and responsible – path.
Key Megatrends
In our view, competition for limited resources currently being experienced will intensify in the coming years, which will have major ramifications for waste and recycling strategies. It is quite likely that water scarcity will challenge food and energy security – and become a very real and pressing challenge. Simultaneously, there will be an increasing supply of unconventional and renewable sources of energy – and this will affect the dynamics of the global energy mix in a very meaningful way.
Read the full story at http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/peering-into-the-future-of-global-waste-resource-management-by-marilize-worst-md-of-smartmatta-2016-05-11/rep_id:4136