Waste Composting
Waste management emphasizes waste reduction.
Understanding Waste Management & Composting
Waste management includes collection, transportation, treatment, recycling, and disposal of various types of waste from household garbage to industrial byproducts. Waste management emphasizes waste reduction at the source encouraging practices like reuse and recycling to reduce the volume of waste entering the landfill.
Composting is a natural process that transforms organic waste such as food scraps or agricultural byproducts into nutrient-rich compost for soil. Composting is a practical means of diverting organic waste from landfills.
Composting in Seychelles
S4S produced a composting guide with the purpose of inspiring everyone to live sustainably – whether you live in a flat or on a farm because by choosing to compost, you can divert 50% of your total waste away from the landfill. With the basic principles of the booklet, you will find that composting is easy and fun!
How does Waste Management and Composting Work Together?
Composting can be considered a key pillar in waste management. Composting specifically targets organic waste which makes up a large portion of municipal solid waste. Integrating composting into waste management systems can reduce the volume of waste entering the landfills and create valuable resources from what would be otherwise discarded.
Tackling Climate Change Through Better Management of Biodegradable Waste in Seychelles
Seychelles is grappling with significant waste management challenges, as its main landfill has already exceeded its original design capacity. S4S is leading a targeted project to reduce the volume of organic waste sent to the landfill, with a strong emphasis on reuse, recycling, and recovery.
This two-year project, launched in May 2024 and funded by the GEF Small Grants Programme under UNDP, aims to foster sustainable waste practices across Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue. It engages a wide spectrum of stakeholders, including women and youth, hotel establishments, farmers, green businesses, and other key community actors.
Project Objectives
- Divert green or organic waste from the landfill
- Support and promote grassroots pilot projects on composting and recycling of biodegradable waste
- Educate stakeholders on sustainable waste management options
- Participate actively and engage with the government to advance sustainable waste management policy and practices
Project Activities
Diverting Organic Waste from Landfills
- Pilot studies on different methods of home composting
- Introduction of composting systems in tourism establishments
- Development and implementation of food reduction initiatives with hotels and farmers
Supporting Grassroots & Circular Economy Initiatives
- Work with CBOs and districts to establish collection systems for biodegradable and other waste
- Support the establishment of commercial and agricultural composting
- Provide training and support for entrepreneurs in circular economy ventures
- Encourage and resource youth-led waste reduction actions
Education & Awareness
- Host a national forum on sustainable waste management with government, civil society, and private sector partners
- Develop and promote a simple waste auditing tool and guidance for organizations
- Run a public awareness and education campaign on biodegradable waste reduction
- Create a dedicated webpage on waste and composting for the S4S website
Policy & Advocacy
- Conduct research and advocacy for new policies and legislation to reduce landfill waste
- Support the establishment of a national intersectoral waste forum bringing together all stakeholders to share experiences and collaborate
- Participate in inter-sectoral waste management committees and meetings
As part of its education and awareness initiative, S4S has developed the 7Rs as can be gleaned from the information infographic below: (insert infographic)
S4S has also developed a waste audit tool and manual under the project, designed to help organizations efficiently track, reduce, and manage waste. The manual and tool include a step-by-step guide to tracking waste streams, measuring composting and methane offsets, and visualizing results automatically.