Transforming 200KG of Food Waste Every Day
In the heart of UNMISS, a daily ritual unfolds – 200 kilograms of organic by-products and kitchen scraps. What was once discarded is now a hidden treasure.
In a groundbreaking move towards sustainability, We – with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)- have initiated a pioneering solution to tackle food waste while fostering agricultural development. Through the innovative process of biomethanization, what was once deemed as waste is being transformed into a valuable resource with far-reaching benefits.
The journey towards this sustainable endeavor began with a collective determination to redefine waste management practices within UNMISS. Recognizing the imperative to minimize environmental impact and maximize resource efficiency, the organization embarked on a mission to harness the potential of organic by-products and kitchen scraps. The answer lay in biomethanization – a cutting-edge technology that converts food waste into biogas and organic fertilizers.
Central to this initiative is the commitment to environmental stewardship and community empowerment. Rather than relegating organic waste to landfills where it contributes to methane emissions and environmental degradation, UNMISS has embraced biomethanization as a means of sustainable waste management. By diverting organic waste from landfills and utilizing it to produce biogas and organic fertilizers, UNMISS is not only mitigating its environmental footprint but also catalyzing positive change within the local community.
The benefits of biomethanization extend far beyond waste management.
Here are some key advantages:
💧 Water Quality Protection: The use of organic fertilizers derived from biomethanization helps safeguard water quality by reducing the risk of nutrient run-off into water bodies. By releasing nutrients slowly, digestate, the by-product of biomethanization, minimizes the occurrence of algal blooms and other water quality issues.
🗑️ Waste Management: By efficiently treating organic waste through biomethanization, UNMISS is diverting significant quantities of waste from landfills. This not only helps mitigate methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, but also contributes to the overall reduction of waste pollution.
🌾 Boosting Agriculture Productivity: The organic fertilizers produced through biomethanization serve as a boon for local farmers, enhancing soil quality and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. By providing essential nutrients for plant growth, digestate enables farmers to improve crop yields and enhance the resilience of their lands.
In addition to its environmental and agricultural benefits, UNMISS’s biomethanization initiative underscores our organization’s commitment to fostering innovation and sustainability. By harnessing technology to convert waste into valuable resources, UNMISS is setting a precedent for responsible waste management practices in the humanitarian sector. By partnering with local farmers to distribute organic fertilizers derived from biomethanization, UNMISS is not only supporting agricultural livelihoods but also fostering a sense of ownership and empowerment within the local community.
Discover more of our initiatives here
