Transitioning towards a circular bioeconomy in South Africa: Who are the key players?
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Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Academy of Science of South Africa
Abstract
The transition towards a circular economy is becoming a priority in many countries globally. However,
the circular bioeconomy has received relatively less attention. In South Africa, the valorisation of organic
waste is a priority area as demonstrated by national goals to divert organic waste from landfill. To support
the growth of the organic waste value chain it is important to gain an understanding of the different value
chain actors and their activities. Through a series of semi-structured interviews across the industry, this
paper unpacks the organic waste value chain including the roles of different actors and the interlinkages
amongst them. Interviewed actors were those involved in the waste treatment sector, including consultants,
composters and technology providers and installers. The value chain is characterised by a number of
partnerships, including sub-contracting and outsourcing, which enable value chain actors to offer services
that they do not necessarily have the in-house skills or capacity to deliver on their own. The majority
of actors were not directly engaged in activities related to the treatment of waste, with many of them
engaging in support activities to facilitate the treatment of waste.
Description
Keywords
Bioeconomy, Organic waste, Waste economy, South Africa
Citation
Chitaka, T. Y., & Schenck, C. (2022). Transitioning towards a circular bioeconomy in South Africa: Who are the key players?. South African Journal of Science, 118, 12465. https://doi. org/10.17159/sajs.2022/12465