Kopernik will test the efficiency of black soldier fly larvae, a harmless species of insects, as a potential solution to improve food waste processing in waste treatment facilities in Bali.
In 2018, Indonesia ranked as the second-largest food waste producer in the world. The most common treatment of food waste, composting, has some drawbacks despite generally considered as practical and environmentally friendly. Firstly, composting takes a long time and generates a low-economic value product. Secondly, composting creates a foul odor which can result in the closure of composting facilities. Thirdly, composting generates carbon dioxide that directly contributes to global warming.
Kopernik will test the efficiency and economic viability of black soldier fly larvae (BSF, Hermetia illucens), a harmless species of insects, as an alternative food waste treatment to composting. In recent years, BSF has gained popularity as an efficient organic waste treatment, with the ability to convert food waste two to 10 times faster than composting. Food waste will be converted into larvae, a protein- and fat-rich biomass that are suitable as animal feed.
We plan to integrate BSF larvae processing into waste treatment facilities in Bali if the solution is proven to be a more efficient and economically comparable alternative to composting. A more efficient food waste treatment process would lead to an increase in capacity of waste treatment facilities. BSF larvae would also provide high added value through the conversion of the larvae into a protein- and fat-rich biomass, promoting sustainable animal feed consumption for local breeders.
