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A Review of the Financial Value of Faecal Sludge Reuse in Low-Income Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Adrian Mallory

    (Cranfield Water Science Institute, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK)

  • Rochelle Holm

    (Centre of Excellence in Water and Sanitation, Mzuzu University, P/Bag 201, Mzuzu 2, Malawi)

  • Alison Parker

    (Cranfield Water Science Institute, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK)

Abstract

Faecal sludge reuse could promote responsible waste management and alleviate resource shortages. However, for this reuse to be carried out at scale, it needs to be financially viable. This paper reviews the financial values of resource recovery from 112 data points from 43 publications from academic and grey literature. The results found 65% of the existing literature is projected rather than being based on observed data from products in practice, with limited studies providing actual experiences of revenue in practice. Some of the estimates of the potential value were ten times those observed in data from operating businesses. Reasons for this include pricing of products against unrealistic competitors, for example, pricing briquettes against diesel fuel, or difficulties in marketing or regulation of products in practice. The most common form of reuse in practice is agricultural composting, which is also the lowest value product. Few cases were able to achieve more than $5/person/year from sludge reuse, therefore other drivers are needed to promote proper human waste disposal, including the health and dignity of citizens, but which are not easily monetised. Certification and recognition of product safety can improve the perception of value and products. Resource recovery has a limited role in the financial viability of providing Circular Economy sanitation in low-income countries. Instead, there is a need to focus on supportive policies and subsidies enabling the transition towards a Circular Economy supporting environmental quality, ecological health and human health.

Suggested Citation

  • Adrian Mallory & Rochelle Holm & Alison Parker, 2020. "A Review of the Financial Value of Faecal Sludge Reuse in Low-Income Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-13, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:20:p:8334-:d:425748
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Berta Moya & Ruben Sakrabani & Alison Parker, 2019. "Realizing the Circular Economy for Sanitation: Assessing Enabling Conditions and Barriers to the Commercialization of Human Excreta Derived Fertilizer in Haiti and Kenya," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-15, June.
    2. Otoo, Miriam & Drechsel, Pay, 2018. "Resource recovery from waste: business models for energy, nutrient and water reuse in low- and middle-income countries," IWMI Books, International Water Management Institute, number 284165.
    3. Cofie, Olufunke & Kone, D., 2009. "Co-composting faecal sludge and organic solid waste, Kumasi, Ghana: case study of sustainable sanitation projects," IWMI Research Reports H042721, International Water Management Institute.
    4. Moya, Berta & Parker, Alison & Sakrabani, Ruben, 2019. "Challenges to the use of fertilisers derived from human excreta: The case of vegetable exports from Kenya to Europe and influence of certification systems," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 72-78.
    5. Danso, G. K. & Otoo, Miriam & Ekere, W. & Ddungu, S. & Madurangi, Ganesha, "undated". "Market feasibility of faecal sludge and municipal solid waste-based compost as measured by farmers’ willingness-to-pay for product attributes: evidence from Kampala, Uganda," Papers published in Journals (Open Access) H048217, International Water Management Institute.
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    Cited by:

    1. Taron, Avinandan & Majumder, A. & Bodach, Susanne & Agbefu, Dzifa, 2023. "Public-private partnerships for the circular bio-economy in the Global South: lessons learned," IWMI Reports 339137, International Water Management Institute.
    2. Taron, Avinandan & Majumder, A. & Bodach, Susanne & Agbefu, Dzifa, 2023. "Public-private partnerships for the circular bio-economy in the Global South: lessons learned," Resource Recovery and Reuse Series H052155, International Water Management Institute.
    3. Adrian Mallory & Anna Mdee & Dorice Agol & Leonie Hyde‐Smith & Domenic Kiogora & Joy Riungu & Alison Parker, 2022. "The potential for scaling up container‐based sanitation in informal settlements in Kenya," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(7), pages 1347-1361, October.
    4. Taron, Avinandan & Majumder, A. & Bodach, Susanne & Agbefu, Dzifa, 2023. "Public-private partnerships for the circular bio-economy in the Global South: lessons learned," IWMI Books, Reports H052155, International Water Management Institute.

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