Introduction
Sisonke Compost was founded in Durban to meet the demand for preventing organic waste from landfills. Sisonke Compost promotes opportunities for food growing, compost production, and increased recycling by lowering greenhouse gas emissions through composting and avoiding landfill transport emissions. The organisation's goal is to create a resilient future by focusing on soil regeneration and encouraging crosssector collaboration to combat climate change.
Sisonke Compost evolved out of the efforts of Bioregional South Africa, a sustainability NPO that supported an existing food garden built by homeless men during lockdown on a municipally owned plot of ground behind Southern Sun's Elangeni Hotel in North Beach, Durban. The garden, which was previously known as the Elangeni Green Zone, began to deteriorate once the original growers left. Bioregional stepped in to provide support.
Origin to Early Development
To help the garden, they started a composting pilot project by asking the neighboring Elangeni Hotel to test the use of Bokashi Bran to treat their food waste. This debris, together with garden waste from municipal sources, was turned into compost. The hotel's parent firm, Southern Sun, supported this initiative as part of its zero waste strategy. According to studies undertaken by Bioregional and SA Food Lab in 2021, food waste from Durban hotels could exceed 38 tons per month. If properly composted, this garbage might yield at least 5 tons of high-quality compost per month. Recognising the potential, Bioregional cooperated with Bokashi Bran, resulting in the establishment of Sisonke Compost by Director Sarah Alsen.
Challenges and Solutions Despite its success, Sisonke Compost has faced a number of hurdles along the way. Logistical challenges have also surfaced, particularly in terms of large-scale food waste collection and processing. Sisonke Compost has reduced transportation inefficiencies and increased waste processing accessibility by creating decentralized composting facilities and collaborating closely with community members.
In addition, Sisonke Compost is awaiting permits to expand its operations, which can take a long period. "We need a larger composting site capable of producing up to 10 tons of compost each day. So it took me a year to get that permit. "I'm still waiting for other permits, including recycling permits," Sarah explained. An additional hurdle has been hiring men from shelters who are recovering from substance abuse. While a secure job allows people to work toward financial independence and a better life, sustainable agriculture is not for everyone. "Farming and composting require commitment and passion. "Not everyone finds it fulfilling," Sarah explained. To support these workers, Sisonke ensures they receive a steady income and provides essential equipment such as bicycles and vehicles to help them collect waste. "We want to make sure they have everything they need to succeed and eventually become self-sufficient," Sarah emphasised. The Vision for the future Sisonke Compost continues to grow, expanding its partnerships and increasing awareness about the benefits of composting. The Durban Garden is open for business and remains committed to a zero-waste approach. Sarah envisions scaling this initiative, with a goal of establishing multiple sites in Durban.
The immediate focus, however, is on setting up four operational sites by the end of the year. She emphasised the importance of localising supply chains and reducing food waste transportation inefficiencies. Major retailers are beginning to recognize the logic of this approach, as keeping food waste within local ecosystems promotes sustainability. Sarah highlighted the importance of expanding these models globally and encouraging mindful interaction with green environments. Her dedication to composting, not only as an environmental answer but also as a transformational movement, exemplifies the ethos of Sisonke Compost.
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