GreenCape, in partnership with the City of Cape Town, has published an industry brief which looks at Black Soldier Fly agriculture: An upcycling solution for organic waste and food waste which can produce local, climate friendly and resilient feed for livestock, pets and the soil.
We have entered the decade of polycrises, where climate instability, ecosystem pressures, and geopolitical tensions are expected to exacerbate an already fragile food supply chain. Such crises provide for an ideal opportunity for innovation and future proofing. One way to achieve this is through the implementations of circular economy principles.
A circular economy keeps products, components, and materials at their highest use and / or value for as long as possible. This includes the biological nutrients embedded in animal feed and human food.
When food waste prevention and retention are not possible, beneficiation must be a priority. This is not only a societal and environmental imperative, but a strategic business decision to enhance resilience and remain relevant and competitive. One solution that can assist in unlocking the circular economy is the Black Soldier Fly (BSF). The key insights from this brief can be summarised as follows:
- There is a need for resilient food supply chains both globally and locally.
- Most South African municipalities have run out of, or are running out of, landfill airspace.
- Circular economy principles can help futureproof against a range of challenges related to climate change, food security and ecosystem degradation.
- BSF larvae turn organic waste disposal liabilities into economic opportunities.
- Major opportunities relate to waste minimisation, animal feed and soil security.
- Cape Town is the epicentre of the BSF innovation in South Africa, but also a global leader.
- BSF is one solution to ensure the Western Cape’s 2027 organic waste landfill ban is achieved
To access the full brief, click the PDF link above.