ABSTRACT
The business model – onsite nutrient recovery – is hinged on the concept of the processing of a business' 'own' waste to organic fertilizer to reduce waste disposal costs and, generate revenue while ensuring the sustainability of the larger business entity as a whole. The model generates the double value proposition of: provision of sustainable and environmentally friendly waste management options for agro-industrial entities; and provision of affordable and high quality organic fertilizer for agricultural production. The business model works for several reasons: it is built around harnessing economic value from agro-waste whilst ensuring business sustainability at a higher level and providing a highly-demanded, affordable and nutrient-rich organic fertilizer to farmers. They also include the parent company typically provides the capital investment for the set-up of compost operations which mitigates capital investment risk; assured supply of key production input (livestock waste); and increasing global demand for organic foods and invariably organic farmers.
