City-Level Decoupling-Case Studies

ecological as well as economic benefits to cities that use large quantities of biomass, particularly in those areas that are less reliant on packaged and processed foods.

Through the collaboration with Makerere University, a chemical and physical evaluation of the peels was conducted for nutrients and any possible risks. Laboratory analysis revealed that the peels have large quantities of protein, starch, fiber and carbohydrates - all of which are important for livestock feed. The re-use of peels thus represents a unique opportunity for value to be created from organic waste that would otherwise have gone to landfill. By recycling nutrients the lifespan of landfills can be extended, and the methane emissions associated with dumping organic waste can be reduced. In areas characterized by inadequate solid waste management, the collection and recycling of organic waste provides an alternative to public dumping, with benefits to health, quality of life, the environment and local economies.

Display of dry peelings. (Source:Shuaib Lwasa, 2011)

The Sustainable Neighbourhood in Focus project finished officially in 2010, but the community is still running the activities as a result of the capacity built and knowledge exchanged. The future of these activities is unclear, but the value behind turning peelings into feed has been realized, and those inspired by the project are teaching others about it and exploring options for scaling up operations. The collection and re-use of organic waste can provide a contextually relevant alternative to conventional solid waste management approaches adopted from the north, particularly in the low income areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Nutrient recycling has the potential to enable more sustainable management of biomass flows through urban ecosystems with significant social and economic co-benefits, and is worthy of more serious consideration as an integrated approach to urban waste management.

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