Editor:
In the article "New deal for Gibsons Recycling" (Coast Reporter, Aug. 10) it was mentioned that Green-omics is promoting the resource recovery model in Africa.
A number of people have asked why. Africa has many challenges and is in the oddly enviable position of being able to leapfrog to the next generation of solutions. This is because many African cities have not invested in the infrastructure to remove waste as have cities and towns in developed countries. This frees them from the burden of trying to maximize the return on their investments in landfills and related disposal services.
A key reason for not having the infrastructure is due to a lack of money.
According to the World-watch Institute, global production of solid waste will increase from 1.3 to 2.6 billion tonnes per year by 2025, contributable primarily to developing countries. While daunting, it becomes an economic opportunity by turning the "waste" into a resource.
Treating waste as a resource creates local economic development through job creation and by supporting local industries.
For example, in Gibsons, the crushed glass is used for speed bumps and by local glass artists. Further, this approach decreases greenhouse gas emissions through the elimination of landfills and because the resources people need for their products are sourced locally, rather than being shipped. As well, converting organic waste into compost provides quality soil for food production.
So, we are reaching out to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund for seed money to start putting resource recovery centres in place to turn waste into a resource to be reused, repurposed, recycled or up-cycled. The centres help address social issues, provide local economic development and are great educational resources. African municipalities need cost effective solutions and are ready to embrace the future with tomorrow's solutions today.
Erich Schwartz, president Greenomics, Gibsons
