CAT Africa

Business case

Direct and indirect reduction in economic costs

Cost Savings

Reduced green house gas emissions released into the biosphere

Reduce Emissions (SDG13)

Minimise waste through diversion: Instead of sending waste to landfill, it is redirected into other industrial processes for handling, treatment, recycling, recovery, or reuse in various forms. 

Minimise waste through design: At the outset of a process of project, plan and design such that there is zero waste or minimal waste during production, use, and at end of life. 

Minimise Waste (SDG12)

Contributing to the improvement of biodiversity including species diversity, total number of protected species, and ecosystem health

Biodiversity

Collecting waste from households and businesses by means of refuse bins, wheeled bins, containers, etc., and providing treatment, incineration, materials recovery and reclamation, and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste

Waste Management

Producing and gathering crop and animal products from land and water through farming, hunting, and fishing

Agriculture

Processing and producing food and beverages for consumption

Food and Beverage

Generating energy from waste through processes such as anaerobic digestion, gasification, incineration, etc.

Generating energy from waste

Processing waste streams into fuels such as biogas, biofuels, pellets, etc.

Processing waste into fuel

Impacts

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Industries

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The principles of a circular economy concern designing out waste, regenerating ecosystems and keeping items in use. Decoupling the economy from material flows—improving the rate of resource productivity faster than the economic growth rate—is also a consistent guide. By evolving with the growing number of applications of circular economy principles, and consolidating these strategies across thematic areas, Circle Economy’s Key Elements Framework (KE) renders the elements of the circular economy salient and serves as a basis to derive contextual strategies and interventions. 


The Framework consists of:
- Core Elements: Activities directly handling product or material flows; and uniquely,
- Enabling Elements: those that remove obstacles for core actors.


Key elements of the circular economy

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Circle Economy's framework of strategies and activities that define the circular economy

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Based on the work of [Bocken et al. (2016)](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309699661_Product_design_and_business_model_strategies_for_a_circular_economy), the Four Flows Framework serves as a simple framework for managing resource flows in a circular economy by using less (Narrow), using for longer (Slow), using again (Cycle), and using clean, regenerative materials and energy (Regenerate).

These different principles of circular economy can be applied to our socioeconomic metabolism: we can design stocks like buildings, infrastructure, machinery, and vehicles to be rich resource mines for the future, and design manufactured goods and consumables to be cycled and made regenerative. Furthermore, the focus must also centre on getting more value out of fewer materials. Achieving the aims of a circular economy—minimising material use, regenerating the Earth, and preventing material losses—can be done through these four key strategies mentioned above.

Source: Circle Economy. (2023). *[The circularity gap report 2023](https://www.circularity-gap.world/2023)* (p.22). Amsterdam: Circle Economy. 

Four Flows Framework

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   Turn your commercial garbage disposal into positive value on-site with our innovative food waste solution. We developed an on-site containerized anaerobic digester, called a Waste Transformer. It is placed next to companies or in communities who produce organic (food) waste. Biodegradable waste, such as kitchen waste, and commercial waste is automatically turned into biogas or electricity and heat. No technical knowledge needed. The waste is turned into liquid organic fertilizer and compost. Different sizes recycle between 500kg - 3600kg organic waste per day. Currently, food waste is at the center of many global challenges. A reduction in food waste will have a game-changing impact on natural resource depletion and degradation, national security, and climate change. Companies and municipalities have an important role to play in setting an example and lead the reduction of organic waste recycling into value.
Food waste is a solvable problem. We are the Waste Transformers and we want to inspire and support people around the world to understand the value of their food waste streams, so that our society can transition to a low-carbon economy. The Waste Transformers enable organic (food) waste producers to recycle their organic waste streams into clean energy, heat and natural fertilizer all on their own site, in an anaerobic digester aka, a Waste Transformer. It is a local solution for hotels, malls, food production companies, harbors and municipalities.
Commercial garbage disposal is something which normally happens out of sight. It’s impersonal, and organic waste is a huge environmental polluter unknown to many of us. On the other hand, sustainable waste management practices are very much appreciated and supported by society and companies clients. Our technology gives organic waste producers the power to generate value from their food waste. Not only in terms of sustainability and financially, but also with respect to PR opportunities. Local communities who live around food waste producers can use the organic fertilizer and compost to grow local crops which can be consumed locally. Pressure on landfills will be reduced and companies can show a practical solution to their waste streams as one of the biggest greenhouse gas polluters we can turn around. To compare, food waste has a much larger footprint compared to polluting plastic straws. Leading by example on-site enables businesses to show their dedication to sustainable entrepreneurship.
We are on a mission to revolutionize the way we deal with waste. Why? Because organic waste is a valuable resource that should not be wasted.
Inspired by the values of the circular economy, with our installations we enable business owners to transform their waste into new products; green energy, natural fertilizer and water. We do all of this on-site, in our containerized Waste Transformers. No transport. With a healthy business case.
Trash is cash. Trash is cool.
No more need to transport waste over long distances to dump or burn it. Rather we allow you to harness your waste at the source, to power your growth. Our business models are smart, with payback times between 3 to 6 years.
Are you an organic (food)waste producer (hotel, hospital or airport) with 600 kg/day of waste and up? We have an on-site solution for you. Or, if you are from a local town council and ready to do things smarter, get in touch. We can help you turn your waste from an environmental and social burden into a driver of social cohesion.
 No more need to transport waste over long distances to dump or burn it. Rather we allow you to harness your waste at the source, to power your growth. Our business models are smart, with payback times between 3 to 6 years.
 Are you an organic (food)waste producer (hotel, hospital or airport) with 600 kg/day of waste and up? We have an on-site solution for you. Or, if you are from a local town council and ready to do things smarter, get in touch. We can help you turn your waste from an environmental and social burden into a driver of social cohesion.

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Amsterdam

Freetown

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Cape Town

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Waste Transformers aims to create circular economies around organic waste, and showcase the social, environmental and economic impact of doing so.

Operations in:
Cape Town, South Africa
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Freetown, Sierra Leone

The Waste Transformers

<p>The issue of food waste produced by various industries has been a global problem, as it leaves a larger footprint on the environment than plastic straws do. To address this, Waste Transformers have created an innovative and easy way to generate value from organic waste by developing an on-site anaerobic digester, which turns food waste into biogas, heat, and electricity. Their solution provides many businesses to leave a significant positive impact on their community and environment.</p>

Easy and Innovative Way to Tackle Organic Waste Issues by The Waste Transformers

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This collection is part of Footprints Africa's work to build a comprehensive database of circular economy initiatives in Africa. 

This is a result of the collaboration with the <a href="https://www.acen.africa" target="_blank">African Circular Economy Network (ACEN)</a>, as part of the programme to support the circular economy transition in Africa. Footprints Africa's vision is that businesses can be a force for good at scale. Their mission is to advance sustainable, scalable and inclusive approaches to development of local African economies. Footprints Africa supports SMEs to adopt future-friendly practices, such as those inspired by the circular economy, to address the challenges of growth and create jobs. 

This open-source dataset features well over 500 cases and 200 examples of policies and laws and intent to collect inspiring examples of initiatives from across Africa, in order to inform the global dialogue, which is largely focused on the European and American context. 

To learn more about Africa's initiatives and content to accelerate the transition to a circular economy, visit https://www.footprintsafrica.co/



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Footprints Africa

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Impact on the quantity or quality of jobs, and shifts in the labour market

Jobs

Impact on the health and happiness of human populations

Well-being

Direct and indirect effects that increase revenues or the potential for new revenues, for example from new products, customer segments, partnerships or business models

Revenue Potential

Efficiency gains on operations or transactions either through cultural or technological shifts

Productivity

Impact on the ease of innovation, and facilitating uptake of innovations

Innovation

Reduced use of virgin materials and/or an increase of the use of secondary and bio-based materials

Reduce Material Consumption (SDG12)

Producing basic and specialty chemicals, inks, agricultural chemical such as fertilisers and pesticides, plastics including packaging, and rubber

Chemical and Plastic

Utilise waste streams as a source of secondary resources and recover waste for reuse and recycling

Use waste as a resource

Cycle strategies aim to cycle and reuse materials at their highest value: they maximise the volume of secondary materials re-entering the economy, ultimately minimising the need for virgin material inputs and therefore also narrowing flows. Of course, virgin materials will always be needed to a degree: all materials degrade and can’t be cycled infinitely, use energy, and require blending with virgin materials to maintain strength and functionality.

Cycle

   Turn your commercial garbage disposal into positive value on-site with our innovative food waste solution. We developed an on-site containerized anaerobic digester, called a Waste Transformer. It is placed next to companies or in communities who produce food waste. Biodegradable waste, such as kitchen waste, and commercial waste is automatically turned into biogas or electricity and heat. No technical knowledge needed to run the system. The waste is converted into liquid organic fertilizer ready to replace artificial fertilizers. Modular Waste Transformers recycle between 300kg - 3000kg food waste per day. Currently, food waste is at the center of many global challenges. A reduction in food waste will have a game-changing impact on natural resource depletion and degradation, national security, and climate change. Companies and municipalities have an important role to play in setting an example and lead the reduction of organic waste recycling into value.
Food waste is a solvable problem. We are the Waste Transformers and we want to inspire and support people around the world to understand the value of their food waste streams, so that our society can transition to a low-carbon economy. The Waste Transformers enable organic (food) waste producers to recycle their organic waste streams into clean energy, heat and natural fertilizer all on their own site, in an anaerobic digester aka, a Waste Transformer. It is a local solution for hotels, malls, food production companies, harbors and municipalities.
Commercial garbage disposal is something which normally happens out of sight. It’s impersonal, and organic waste is a huge environmental polluter unknown to many of us. On the other hand, sustainable waste management practices are very much appreciated and supported by society and companies clients. Our technology gives organic waste producers the power to generate value from their own food waste. Not only in terms of sustainability and financially, but also with respect to PR opportunities. Local communities who live around food waste producers can use the organic fertilizer and compost to grow local crops that can be consumed locally. Municipalities can replace the use of (polluting) artificial fertilizer by organic locally produced fertilizer. Pressure on landfills will be reduced and companies can show a practical solution to their waste streams as one of the biggest greenhouse gas polluters we can turn around. To compare, food waste has a much larger footprint compared to polluting plastic straws. Leading by example on-site enables businesses to show their dedication to sustainable entrepreneurship.
We are on a mission to revolutionize the way we deal with waste. Why? Because organic waste is a valuable resource that should not be wasted.
Inspired by the values of the circular economy, with our installations we enable business owners to transform their waste into new products; green energy, natural fertilizer and water. We do all of this on-site, in our containerized Waste Transformers. No transport. With a healthy business case.
Trash is cash. Trash is cool.
No more need to transport waste over long distances to dump or burn it. Rather we allow you to harness your waste at the source, to power your growth. Our business models are smart, with payback times between 3 to 6 years.
Are you an organic (food)waste producer (hotel, hospital or airport) with 600 kg/day of waste and up? We have an on-site solution for you. Or, if you are from a local town council and ready to do things smarter, get in touch. We can help you turn your waste from an environmental and social burden into a driver of social cohesion.
 No more need to transport waste over long distances to dump or burn it. Rather we allow you to harness your waste at the source, to power your growth. Our business models are smart, with payback times between 3 to 6 years.
 Are you an organic (food)waste producer (hotel, hospital or airport) with 600 kg/day of waste and up? We have an on-site solution for you. Or, if you are from a local town council and ready to do things smarter, get in touch. We can help you turn your waste from an environmental and social burden into a driver of social cohesion.

Africa

Sierra Leone

<p>The Waste Transformers have developed a containerised anaerobic digester to turn biodegradable waste into biogas, electricity, and heat. The anaerobic digester also turns the waste into ready-to-use liquid organic fertiliser. The digester can recycle between 350 and 3,000 kg of biodegradable waste per day. The Waste Transformers have partnered with a local waste management company to implement the anaerobic digester at the Aberdeen Women's Centre in Freetown, Sierra Leone.</p>