How landfills emerge as energy assets

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Often seen as a liability across Africa, landfills are emerging as untapped energy resources and revenue generators. South Africa’s Cape Town has launched a landfill gas-to-energy plant capable of powering 4,000 households. This comes as a study shows municipal solid waste, a major landfill component, can also be converted into sustainable aviation fuel.

• Across the continent, landfills are extensive and largely unregulated, with open dumps posing environmental and health risks as well as releasing methane.

• Despite these structural weaknesses, cities are beginning to recognise that landfills contain recoverable value that can support local energy security and climate goals.

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