Circular Economy Composting, Kenya

In Nairobi, only 35% of solid waste is taken to managed landfills. This leads to sanitation issues and the emissions of methane which is 20 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Further, wood is a common fuel source in Kenyans which puts pressure on local forests.

With a circular approach, the project diverts waste products destined for urban slums to facilities where it is processed into agricultural compost. From the waste, the project also produces briquettes, which are substitutes to more carbon intensive fuels, and an insect product as an alternative to fishmeal.

As well as reducing methane emissions from unprocessed organic waste, the project has created over 12,000 factory, sales, and product distribution jobs. Additionally, the compost has resulted in a 30% agricultural yield increase for over 50,000 farmers, and the insect product reduces pressure on nearby lakes and oceans.

In addition to delivering emissions reductions to take climate action (SDG 13), the project delivers other benefits:

• Zero Hunger: Composting transforms organic waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer, which improves soil fertility and crop yields for Kenyan farmers. This supports food security and increases agricultural productivity, helping to alleviate hunger and malnutrition. By making affordable organic fertilizer available, composting reduces farmers’ reliance on costly chemical inputs, enabling more sustainable and accessible food production.
• Clean Water and Sanitation: Composting projects, especially those that process human and organic waste, prevent untreated waste from contaminating water bodies. This reduces waterborne diseases and improves the quality of drinking water in communities.
  
• Affordable and Clean Energy: From the waste, the project produces briquettes, which are substitutes to more carbon-intensive fuels. Composting also reduces the need for energy-intensive chemical fertilizer production, indirectly supporting clean energy goals.
  
• Decent Work and Economic Growth: Composting initiatives create green jobs in waste collection, processing, and compost sales, supporting local entrepreneurship and economic diversification. By fostering a circular economy, these projects stimulate new business opportunities and help build local wealth from waste resources.
  
• Responsible Consumption and Production: Composting diverts organic waste from landfills, reducing pollution and promoting recycling and reuse in line with circular economy principles. It encourages responsible waste management practices, minimizing the environmental footprint of urban and rural communities.
  
• Climate Action: Composting reduces methane emissions from organic waste that would otherwise decompose anaerobically in landfills-a potent greenhouse gas. By improving soil health, compost increases carbon sequestration in agricultural lands, further mitigating climate change.
  
• Life Below Water: Proper waste management and composting prevent organic and human waste from entering rivers and lakes, reducing nutrient pollution and eutrophication that can harm aquatic life. This helps protect freshwater and marine ecosystems from the negative impacts of untreated waste and chemical runoff.
  
• Life on Land: Compost application restores soil health, increases biodiversity, and supports sustainable land use by reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. By minimizing landfill use and illegal dumping, composting protects terrestrial habitats and reduces land degradation.