The eThekwini Executive Committee is considering a R20 million feasibility study into the possibility of turning excess waste into energy in the City.

A presentation was conducted by the Ladybird Economic Advancement Partnership (LEAP), which is a privately owned company established to help towns, cities and communities in South Africa by transforming excess waste into renewable energy solutions.

LEAP would conduct the study at no cost to the Municipality as the funds have already been secured. However there were some requirements for the Municipality for the study to go ahead.

The presentation revealed that there would be many positive spinoffs for the community if this project was implemented.

This includes communities forming small businesses to collect the waste to be converted which would address unemployment as well as health benefits, as waste left uncollected and uncontrolled in communities impacted on health and sanitation.

Discussions with the City started in January and a Municipal delegation visited Newcastle, in the United Kingdom to see firsthand how the treatment plant worked, converting excess waste into renewable energy.

The presentation outlined possible benefits for the City which included further potential investment and the delivery of a long term road map which includes developing entrepreneurialism, empowering women, sustainable waste management and energy self-sufficiency.

City Manager Sibusiso Sithole said eThekwini as most cities faced challenges of waste sitting in landfill sites.

“Cities need to manage landfill sites and this new technology can turn waste into energy with by-products that can also be used by the Municipality. This will ensure no waste just lies around. The project also accommodates generated sludge as well. We should agree with this in principle,” he said.

Sithole suggested a technical team be established with relevant units such as Durban Solid Waste, Water and Sanitation and the Legal Unit, to investigate the feasibility of the project and whether it would work for the City. The team would then report back to the Executive Committee to make a decision.