Abstracts

106 will ensue. Increased waste generation will continue to burden the existing and aging infrastructure. Most waste is landfilled and/ or uncollected, leading to organic fractions of waste to degrade, causing environmental and public health issues. Implementing AD technology provides a great solution to many waste-related problems by allowing for the conversion of organic waste into biogas and digestate, high-value products that have many uses. AD technology has not been widely adopted in South Africa for a variety of reasons. Most significantly, there are legislative and infrastructural blockades that prevent the technology from thriving. A lack of attention in existing waste legislation to advanced technology prevents AD from being recognized as a viable method of solution. At the same time, South Africa’s focus on large state- owned enterprises, particularly in the energy and energy services domains, hinders the implementation of a competitive biogas-based market. A lack of state funding and resources also prevents the inclusion of new technological ventures and endeavors such as AD technology. The benefits of implementing AD technology outweigh many of the potential costs. Setting up AD technology would result in significant entrepreneurial growth and hence job creation potential. The NWMS calls out for the creation of new ventures related to the waste management industry. New jobs and opportunities would not only be created in the new AD space but also enhance the existing recyclables markets. A reduction in cross-contamination of organic wastes due to increased source separationwould allowpickers and other players in the recycling industry greater profits. Taken together, the potential benefits from introducing contemporary AD technologies far outweigh any perceived drawbacks, economic or otherwise, and should be promoted directly at the national and municipal levels if South Africa is to achieve its vision as an advanced economy.