Evaluation of the economic, social, and biological feasibility of bioconverting food wastes with the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens)

摘要

Food wastes in the waste stream is becoming an important aspect of integrated waste management systems. Current efforts are composting and animal feeding. However, these food waste disposal practices rely on slow thermodynamic processes of composting or finding farmers with domestic animals capable of consuming the food wastes. Bioconversion, a potential alternative, is a waste management practice that converts food waste to insect larval biomass and organic residue. This project uses a native and common non-pest insect in Texas, the black soldier, which processes large quantities of food wastes, animal wastes and sewage in the larval stage. The goal of this research is to facilitate the identification and development of the practical parameters of bioconversion methods. Three major factors were selected to evaluate a bioconversion system: (1) the biological constraints on the species; (2) the economic costs and benefits for the local community; (3) the perception of and interaction between the public and management agencies. Results indicate that bioconversion is feasible on all levels. Larvae tolerate and consume food waste reducing the volume by over half. The economical benefits are reduced collection costs and profit from the sale of pupae as a feedstuff. Social acceptance is possible, but requires education of the public, specifically targeting school children.