BiobiN announces sustainable organic waste management is key to water conservation

According to BiobiN, safe drinking water is not an abundant resource in South Africa.

Approximately 14 million people do not have access to safe drinking water in the country due to various reasons, including scarcity, poor infrastructure or pollution. 

With our current water situation, every measure needs to be adopted to ensure that our current water resources are fully conserved. Diverting organic waste from landfills is a key measure that can prevent groundwater pollution, says BiobiN. 

Recognised as a major hazard to numerous water bodies, our waste has the potential to contaminate any water source, making it unsuitable for drinking or sanitation, the company adds. 

"We have observed various scenarios where inadequate waste management contributes to water pollution, such as litter accumulation, illegal dumping, effluent run-off and compromised landfill liners," says Brian Küsel of BiobiN South Africa.

"It is critical for businesses to ensure that they handle and manage their waste volumes effectively to safeguard our limited freshwater reservoirs. Regrettably, many incidents of water pollution occur at landfill sites located near low-income communities that depend directly on these freshwater sources," Küsel adds. 

Water scarcity and drought have affected many countries and are quickly becoming more severe in many parts of Africa, including South Africa. The country receives a mean annual precipitation of 497mm / year — almost 50% less than the global average, according to the company. 

"To mitigate these risks of water pollution, businesses and consumers should implement better and more sustainable ways to manage their waste, especially organic waste. Enclosed composting vessels can process large volumes of food and organic waste, while containing any leachate that is produced through the decomposition process," says Küsel.

"Using this alternative waste treatment method also reduces the risk associated with transporting waste to be treated off-site, where spills and contamination can occur," Küsel concludes. 

According to BiobiN, using compost in agriculture also has benefits for water conservation. Replacing fertilizer with organic compost reduces the risk of excess nutrient run-off, which can cause algal blooms in nearby water sources.

Algae blooms reduce the oxygen content in water, resulting in many aquatic species dying or migrating. This has a devastating impact on the greater ecosystem and often renders water unsanitary and unfit for human consumption, concludes BiobiN. 

For more information, visit www.biobin.co.za. You can also follow BiobiN on Facebook or LinkedIn. 

*Image courtesy of Canva