IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bla/bstrat/v34y2025i7p9463-9489.html

Transformative Approaches in Transitioning to a Circular Sanitation Bioeconomy in South Africa: A Scoping Review

Author

Listed:
  • William Musazura
  • Alfred Oduor Odindo
  • Stephen O. Ojwach

Abstract

Transitioning from linear flow resource management practices to a circular sanitation bioeconomy needs a transformative approach. In South Africa, the management of human excreta through resource recovery and reuse (RRR) has been widely researched and piloted. However, despite substantial academic and practical exploration, its implementation remains limited in terms of improving livelihoods and safeguarding the environment. A scoping review of peer‐reviewed articles, case studies, academic books and grey literature was conducted to examine the ways in which transformative approaches enable the transition towards a circular sanitation bioeconomy (CBE) through RRR. Success stories learned from international and regional experiences were applied to the South African context. Research gaps on technological, health risks, best practices, social and economic viability issues, barring RRR, were identified. Practical implementation recommendations for technological integration, safeguarding health risks, public–private partnerships, enhancing global supply chains, institutional commitment, sustainable business models and influencing legal and policy frameworks were provided.

Suggested Citation

  • William Musazura & Alfred Oduor Odindo & Stephen O. Ojwach, 2025. "Transformative Approaches in Transitioning to a Circular Sanitation Bioeconomy in South Africa: A Scoping Review," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(7), pages 9463-9489, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:34:y:2025:i:7:p:9463-9489
    DOI: 10.1002/bse.70079
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.70079
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/bse.70079?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Vasileios Rizos & Arno Behrens & Wytze Van der Gaast & Erwin Hofman & Anastasia Ioannou & Terri Kafyeke & Alexandros Flamos & Roberto Rinaldi & Sotiris Papadelis & Martin Hirschnitz-Garbers & Corrado , 2016. "Implementation of Circular Economy Business Models by Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs): Barriers and Enablers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(11), pages 1-18, November.
    2. Musazura, William & Badza, Taruvinga & Nxumalo, Siphesihle & Ojwach, Stephen O. & Odindo, Alfred Oduor, 2025. "Upcycling human excreta-derived products through sustainable seedling production: Feasibility studies," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 315(C).
    3. Kookana, R. S. & Drechsel, Pay & Jamwal, P. & Vanderzalm, J., 2020. "Urbanisation and emerging economies: issues and potential solutions for water and food security," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 732:139057..
    4. Gabrielle Joly & Josiane Nikiema, 2019. "Global experiences on waste processing with black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens): from technology to business. (Resource Recovery and Reuse Series 16)," IWMI Working Papers H049395, International Water Management Institute.
    5. Philip Amoah & Noah Adamtey & Olufunke Cofie, 2017. "Effect of Urine, Poultry Manure, and Dewatered Faecal Sludge on Agronomic Characteristics of Cabbage in Accra, Ghana," Resources, MDPI, vol. 6(2), pages 1-14, May.
    6. 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.
    7. Jonathan Jared Ignacio & Roy Alvin Malenab & Carla Mae Pausta & Arnel Beltran & Lawrence Belo & Renan Ma. Tanhueco & Marlon Era & Ramon Christian Eusebio & Michael Angelo Promentilla & Aileen Orbecido, 2018. "Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Eco-Toilet Systems in Rural Areas: A Case Study in the Philippines," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-20, February.
    8. Mohamed Chaker Necibi & Driss Dhiba & Souad El Hajjaji, 2021. "Contaminants of Emerging Concern in African Wastewater Effluents: Occurrence, Impact and Removal Technologies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-12, January.
    9. Miriam Otoo & Pay Drechsel & George K. Danso & Solomie Gebrezgabher & Krishna Rao & Ganesha Madurangi, 2016. "Testing the implementation potential of resource recovery and reuse business models: from baseline surveys to feasibility studies and business plans. (Resource Recovery and Reuse Series 10)," IWMI Working Papers H047601, International Water Management Institute.
    10. Sana Khalid & Muhammad Shahid & Natasha & Irshad Bibi & Tania Sarwar & Ali Haidar Shah & Nabeel Khan Niazi, 2018. "A Review of Environmental Contamination and Health Risk Assessment of Wastewater Use for Crop Irrigation with a Focus on Low and High-Income Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-36, May.
    11. Gabrielle Joly & Josiane Nikiema, 2019. "Global experiences on waste processing with black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens): from technology to business. (Resource Recovery and Reuse Series 16)," Resource Recovery and Reuse Series H049395, International Water Management Institute.
    12. Linda Godfrey & Suzan Oelofse, 2017. "Historical Review of Waste Management and Recycling in South Africa," Resources, MDPI, vol. 6(4), pages 1-11, October.
    13. Otoo, Miriam & Gebrezgabher, Solomie & Danso, G. & Amewu, Sena & Amirova, Iroda, "undated". "Market adoption and diffusion of fecal sludge-based fertilizer in developing countries: crosscountry analyses," IWMI Reports 284265, International Water Management Institute.
    14. Miriam Otoo & Pay Drechsel & George K. Danso & Solomie Gebrezgabher & Krishna Rao & Ganesha Madurangi, 2016. "Testing the implementation potential of resource recovery and reuse business models: from baseline surveys to feasibility studies and business plans. (Resource Recovery and Reuse Series 10)," Resource Recovery and Reuse Series H047601, International Water Management Institute.
    15. Marion W. Jenkins & Oliver Cumming & Sandy Cairncross, 2015. "Pit Latrine Emptying Behavior and Demand for Sanitation Services in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-24, February.
    16. Nur Fardilla Amrul & Irfana Kabir Ahmad & Noor Ezlin Ahmad Basri & Fatihah Suja & Nurul Ain Abdul Jalil & Nur Asyiqin Azman, 2022. "A Review of Organic Waste Treatment Using Black Soldier Fly ( Hermetia illucens )," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-15, April.
    17. Chakona, Gamuchirai & Shackleton, Charlie M., 2019. "Food insecurity in South Africa: To what extent can social grants and consumption of wild foods eradicate hunger?," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 13(C), pages 87-94.
    18. Benjamin C. Wilde & Eva Lieberherr & Andrew E. Okem & Johan Six, 2019. "Nitrified Human Urine as a Sustainable and Socially Acceptable Fertilizer: An Analysis of Consumer Acceptance in Msunduzi, South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-13, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Musazura, William & Badza, Taruvinga & Nxumalo, Siphesihle & Ojwach, Stephen O. & Odindo, Alfred Oduor, 2025. "Upcycling human excreta-derived products through sustainable seedling production: Feasibility studies," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 315(C).
    2. Tuti Suryati & Euis Julaeha & Kindi Farabi & Hanies Ambarsari & Ace Tatang Hidayat, 2023. "Lauric Acid from the Black Soldier Fly ( Hermetia illucens ) and Its Potential Applications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-28, June.
    3. Simon Gwara & Edilegnaw Wale & Alfred Odindo & Chris Buckley, 2021. "Attitudes and Perceptions on the Agricultural Use of Human Excreta and Human Excreta Derived Materials: A Scoping Review," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-30, February.
    4. Gebrezgabher, Solomie & Kodua, T. & Mateo-Sagasta, Javier, 2022. "Cost of water reuse projects in MENA and cost recovery mechanisms," IWMI Books, Reports H051739, International Water Management Institute.
    5. Simon Gwara & Edilegnaw Wale & Alfred Odindo & Chris Buckley, 2020. "Why do We Know So Much and Yet So Little? A Scoping Review of Willingness to Pay for Human Excreta Derived Material in Agriculture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-25, August.
    6. Mechthild Donner & Anne Verniquet & Jan Broeze & Katrin Kayser & Hugo de Vries, 2021. "Critical success and risk factors for circular business models valorising agricultural waste and by-products," Post-Print hal-03004851, HAL.
    7. Rohit Agrawal & Vishal A. Wankhede & Anil Kumar & Sunil Luthra, 2021. "Analysing the roadblocks of circular economy adoption in the automobile sector: Reducing waste and environmental perspectives," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(2), pages 1051-1066, February.
    8. Bruno Michel Roman Pais Seles & Janaina Mascarenhas & Ana Beatriz Lopes de Sousa Jabbour & Adriana Hoffman Trevisan, 2022. "Smoothing the circular economy transition: The role of resources and capabilities enablers," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(4), pages 1814-1837, May.
    9. Francesca Gennari, 2023. "The transition towards a circular economy. A framework for SMEs," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 27(4), pages 1423-1457, December.
    10. Thomas Dobbelstein & Carina Lochner, 2023. "Factors influencing purchase intention for recycled products: A comparative analysis of Germany and South Africa," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(4), pages 2256-2277, August.
    11. P. Giovani Palafox-Alcantar & Dexter V. L. Hunt & Chris D. F. Rogers, 2020. "A Hybrid Methodology to Study Stakeholder Cooperation in Circular Economy Waste Management of Cities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-30, April.
    12. Julian Lauten-Weiss & Stephan Ramesohl, 2021. "The Circular Business Framework for Building, Developing and Steering Businesses in the Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-14, January.
    13. Lusanda Ncisana & Vafana Attraction Ntuli & Nonhle Tracey Sibisi & Mmapake F. Masha & Mdumo S. J. Mboweni & Moyahabo Anna Satekge & Wonga Ntilini & Ntuthuko Raphael Mkhize & Suresh K. Singh, 2023. "A Comparative Study of Teaching Approaches in Agro-Ecology: An Investigation of 10th-Grade Agricultural Sciences Learners in Selected Schools," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-9, February.
    14. Gabrijel Ondrasek & Peta L. Clode & Matt R. Kilburn & Paul Guagliardo & Davor Romić & Zed Rengel, 2019. "Zinc and Cadmium Mapping in the Apical Shoot and Hypocotyl Tissues of Radish by High-Resolution Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (NanoSIMS) after Short-Term Exposure to Metal Contamination," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-13, January.
    15. Claudia Aparecida De Mattos & Thiago Lourenço Meira De Albuquerque, 2018. "Enabling Factors and Strategies for the Transition Toward a Circular Economy (CE)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-18, December.
    16. Nini Sané & Malick Mbengue & Seyni Ndoye & Serge Stoll & John Poté & Philippe Le Coustumer, 2024. "Effect of Moringa oleifera Seeds Powder on Metallic Trace Elements Concentrations in a Wastewater Treatment Plant in Senegal," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(8), pages 1-27, August.
    17. Vasileios A. Tzanakakis & Andrea G. Capodaglio & Andreas N. Angelakis, 2023. "Insights into Global Water Reuse Opportunities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-30, August.
    18. Maria Rosa De Giacomo & Raimund Bleischwitz, 2020. "Business models for environmental sustainability: Contemporary shortcomings and some perspectives," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(8), pages 3352-3369, December.
    19. Jose García‐Quevedo & Elisenda Jové‐Llopis & Ester Martínez‐Ros, 2020. "Barriers to the circular economy in European small and medium‐sized firms," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(6), pages 2450-2464, September.
    20. Lucie Veselá & Martina Vršanská & Irena Baláková & Stanislava Voběrková & Lea Kubíčková & Magdalena Daria Vaverková, 2025. "Analysis of the Structure and Seasonal Variability of Food Waste in Urbanized Areas: Possible Actions for Achieve Sustainable Development," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(4), pages 5742-5761, August.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:34:y:2025:i:7:p:9463-9489. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1099-0836 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.