Agricultural use of filter cake from the Tongaat Hulett Sugar Refinery.

Sugar refining is an energy intensive process which also generates significant quantities of waste and as such is under close scrutiny from e nvironmental departments. In 2009, changes in waste legislation made recycling of wast e a legal requirement, and responsible environmental management is therefore crucial (Anon, 2008). The obstacles facing the diversion of filter cake from landfill to agricultu ral use are discussed, as well as the strategy followed to obtain legal authorisation for using this waste in agriculture. The benefits of the material to the soil are discussed as well as the environmental benefits of diverting such a large tonnage of material from lan dfill which consumes valuable airspace.