Report – Comparative Waste Characterisation across countries
Abstract
Introduction
The management of municipal solid waste poses increasing challenges for small island states in the Southwest Indian Ocean. With limited land for disposal, growing urban populations, and mounting pressure on public infrastructure, these countries are seeking more sustainable and efficient ways to handle waste. At the same time, their dependence on imported fossil fuels has raised interest in solutions that can produce energy from local resources.
The findings of the waste characterisation studies have direct implications for the implementation of TWENex activities in each country. Component 1, which focuses on the development of a biodigester and capacity building, must account for the quantity and type of organic waste available. For Madagascar, the high percentage of yard waste makes it a strong candidate for decentralised systems focused on composting or biogas production. The implementation team may consider aligning training modules with local waste profiles, focusing on source separation and low-contaminant feedstock handling.
- Country-specific strategies are necessary to account for variations in waste composition. Madagascar can prioritise yard waste management through decentralised composting and biodigestion; Comoros can invest in basic source separation and modular biodigesters; Seychelles must pursue integrated solutions combining digestion with recycling infrastructure.
- Training should be adapted to local waste characteristics and institutional realities. Operators, technicians, and community facilitators need specific skills relevant to their national context, such as safe handling of food waste, maintenance of small-scale digesters, or operation of advanced separation units.
- Across all three countries, successful implementation of waste-to-energy systems will require some form of waste separation, whether at the source or at centralised facilities. Investments in awareness campaigns, collection systems, and basic mechanical sorting will improve feedstock quality.
- Regulatory frameworks should support the use of bio-waste for energy, including incentives for separate collection, procurement policies for compost or biogas, and guidelines for the integration of organic and wastewater streams.
- TWENex provides a unique opportunity for cross-country collaboration. Lessons learned in one national context—such as low-contaminant feedstock handling in Madagascar or multi-stream integration in Seychelles—can inform others. Regular technical exchanges and regional platforms should be established.
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