💫 The Spark Spotlight: Waste management

This is a special edition of our newsletter from Bemari where we talk about how to not get lost in sustainability.

This monthly edition is about how how to focus the energy where it matters and not get distracted by “shiny” things in various industries. Every month, we invite practitioners to share their insights on what creates the most impact and positive change in their sector.

Where energy flows, impact shows: Waste management edition. 

Where does sustainability show up in your work?

We all generate waste in our day-to-day lives, but how many of us consider what happens to it after it’s been collected? And how many of us make active purchasing choices to prevent waste in the first place?

I recently authored the United Nations’ Global Waste Management Outlook 2024, and the findings were alarming. In the Global North especially, our linear resource use habits are leading to astronomical amounts of waste. We are simply using far too much and generating far too much waste. Take-make-dispose leads to ever-increasing demands for raw material extraction, and its significant negative impacts on the environment and on human rights.

Meanwhile, in emerging economies, waste is growing at such a pace that nascent waste management systems are failing to keep up. Cities have overfull dumpsites, with fires that are almost impossible to extinguish filling low-lying neighbourhoods with toxic fumes. Drains and rivers become so full of waste that flooding is almost guaranteed during heavy rainfall, washing all sorts of pollutants into homes and onto agricultural soils. Eventually, much will reach the sea where it will circulate and accumulate for generations.

Much of the problem lies with low-value plastic packaging. Favoured because of its diverse qualities, ability to prolong product shelf-life, and its relative low cost and light weight compared to the alternatives, once it reaches end-of-life there are few options. Sachets and other multi-material packaging simply cannot be recycled, and mono-material flexibles are so contaminated that collecting a single kg can take hours. Bearing in mind the market value for this material is under 10 pence per kg, it’s clear why no-one is keen to invest in its collection.

UNEP’s data team carried out Lifecycle Assessments to understand what the future might hold. Unless we take urgent action, the environmental impacts of our rampant resource use are expected to double by 2050. Worse still, the impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution will be felt most severely by already vulnerable and marginalised communities.

Since “sustainability” doesn’t just cover the environment, but also social and economic factors, the human rights aspects of our wasteful ways cannot be overlooked. Businesses selling products into markets without decent waste management infrastructure need to be mindful of what will happen to those products and their packaging at end of life. If it is not recyclable, or not worth collecting because of its pitiful market value, then it will almost always end up as pollution.

What are the main sustainability misconceptions in your area?

“Wishcycling” is a key one – where people “hope” that something is recyclable and so stick it in the recycling bin to give it a chance. In fact, this can end up contaminating a whole container-load of recyclables, leading to the who lot being landfilled or incinerated.

Some people also think we can “buy” our way out of this. How many trendy cotton shopping bags or reusable water bottles does one household need? I’ve even seen adverts from one of Europe’s largest furniture stores encouraging people to come and shop for goods that enable a “zero waste lifestyle”.

It’s a simple equation. The more we buy, the more waste we generate.

What are the key things I wish the energy and resources sectors would focus on?

Efficiency, every time! Doing more with less. My first job back in 2002 was as a local authority Waste Strategy Officer, and I realised at that point that no-one was taking responsibility for the top of the waste hierarchy – REDUCE.

I understand why governments find it unattractive – after all, it’s our purchases that keep the economy going. But it’s also our waste that keeps the pollution pumping, and that represents a significant hidden cost. What’s worse is that the cost will be borne by our children and grandchildren. We need to start taking proper responsibility for the planet we will pass on.

What resources would you recommend people to read / listen to learn more?

1. The Global Waste Management Outlook 2024 (UNEP / ISWA 2024) offers a comprehensive update of the impacts of waste on the triple planetary crisis. It explores the reasons why progress has been so slow and suggests pathways to prevent waste and ensure unavoidable waste is managed safely.

2. Towards Zero Waste: A catalyst for delivering the Sustainable Development Goals (UNEP 2023) demonstrates clearly how waste reduction and better waste management can help societies address many of their pressing needs.

What is your favourite example of a positive change / impactful action that you have recently seen?

These days, it’s all about maggots! The larvae of Black Soldier Flies, to be precise. These little wriggly beasties eat up most kinds of food waste and convert it into protein. They can then be fed live to fish or chickens, or dried for year-round animal feed.

It’s a new way of dealing with food waste that maximises its value. Relatively simple and affordable to set up and run, Black Soldier Fly Larvae farming helps communities rear livestock without needing to buy soy-based animal feed, keeps organic waste out of dumpsites, and provides dignified jobs for waste workers.

The approach is growing in popularity and is a fascinating process to witness! If you’re not too squeamish, I invite you to hop over to YouTube and check out some of the videos. You’ll be converted to the wonders of maggots in no time.

Bemari is a B Corp certified impact consultancy helping businesses accelerate the just transition towards more restorative and regenerative practices. We can help you evaluate your environmental impact and support your transition to nature positive and regenerative business practices. Here is what we offer and how we do it. We also offer training to support your transition.

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