#Argentina #Buenos Aires #COP30 #Delterra

Tackling Food Waste: A Path to Lower CO₂ Emissions in Buenos Aires

As the world grapples with the urgent challenges posed by climate change, cities are at the forefront of innovative solutions. A recent case study from Buenos Aires, presented during COP30, showcases how optimizing organic waste management can drastically decrease greenhouse gas emissions, potentially equivalent to removing 370,000 cars from the road by 2050.

The city of Buenos Aires has partnered with Delterra, supported by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and the Global Methane Hub (GMH), to address food waste—a significant contributor to methane emissions. By focusing on how existing infrastructures can be utilized more effectively, Buenos Aires' pilot program illustrates that impactful changes are possible without the need for large-scale investments.

The Innovative Approach

The pilot initiative targeted large food businesses in the city. It began with a comprehensive redesign of the organic waste collection system, optimizing collection routes and integrating digital tracking tools. As part of the push to improve waste separation at the source, the program also launched a behavior change campaign aimed at educating businesses on proper waste disposal practices.

In less than a year, Buenos Aires has reported impressive results:

• - A 45% increase in the amount of organic waste collected.
• - A 25% reduction in the collection cost per ton.
• - An increase in sorting accuracy from 68% up to nearly 100%.
• - A reduction of 24% in travel time for each stop.

These statistics clearly demonstrate that even small adjustments can yield significant improvements in waste management and emission reductions.

Financial Sustainability

The financial analysis of the project indicates its sustainability and scalability. The first phase did not require substantial infrastructure investments, making it accessible for other cities as they look to replicate this model. Once the collection system reaches its capacity, private waste operators could step in to further expand the program, ensuring long-term sustainability.

Predictively, if this method is adopted citywide, Buenos Aires could potentially recover over 6,000 tons of organic waste by 2027—setting a course for a 120% increase in recovery from current levels. However, with expansions targeting major areas filled with food waste generators, the annual recovery potential could soar to 32,700 tons, leading to an estimated 1.7 million tons of CO₂ emissions reduction by 2050.

A Model for Global Application

Shannon Bouton, the CEO of Delterra, emphasized the project's importance by stating, "Buenos Aires has shown that cities don't need massive investments or new technology to cut methane—they can act now with the systems they already have." This sentiment reflects a growing belief that effective solutions can stem from existing resources and localized strategies.

The Buenos Aires case study illustrates that substantial climate impacts can arise from minor yet meaningful changes in everyday practices. By optimizing the systems already in place, cities can significantly contribute to global methane reduction goals without overhauling their infrastructure.

The full details of this impactful case study, titled "A Model for Cities: How Buenos Aires is Reducing Methane through Organic Waste Management," are available through Delterra, offering a blueprint not just for Argentine cities, but for urban centers globally looking to enhance their sustainability initiatives.

Conclusion

As cities worldwide prepare to face the climate crisis, innovations like those in Buenos Aires provide a compelling roadmap. Organic waste management, when effectively optimized, offers a dual benefit: enhancing municipal waste systems and making a tangible impact on climate change. Cities should take note of this pioneering effort and consider how they might adapt similar strategies to reduce their environmental footprint.