Guidelines & Tools

CCAC TEAP Report: Transforming Organic Waste with Black Soldier Flies: A Guide for Decision-Makers, Entrepreneurs, and Implementers to Unlock the Organic Waste Potential of Black Soldier Fly Systems

Published

2025

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What is Black Soldier Fly (BSF) Technology?

BSF technology leverages the natural reproduction cycle of black soldier flies, which aids in the decomposition and nutrient recycling of organic material. In controlled environments, larvae are harvested before reaching the pre-pupae stage, providing valuable by-products such as protein for animal feed and insect oil.

Studies indicate that BSF technology can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional composting processes. The adaptability of BSF operations makes them suitable for diverse contexts, from small-scale household solutions to large-scale industrial plants.

Business Case

Beyond waste reduction, BSF technology yields high-quality products with local to global demand, including pet and poultry food, insect oil, biofuel, and compost. Recent and ongoing projects in Peru, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Cote d'Ivoire' aim to demonstrate the business viability of BSF plants for large-scale organic waste treatment.

Toolkit for Implementing Black Soldier Fly Technology

This report equips stakeholders with a comprehensive assessment of the resources, expertise, and planning needed to successfully adopt and operate a BSF system at different scales, be it at industrial scale, as a waste management option for rural towns, or when working with smallholder and under-serviced communities generating organic waste.

It is designed for a broad audience, including:

TYPES OF SYSTEMS

Micro-Scale Home System

These systems are simple and low-cost, designed for individual use or household needs. Also used for educational purposes, they provide a practical introduction to BSF technology. They are suitable for small-scale waste management in rural and urban areas and backyards. This scale can also support direct use of larvae or frass on-site, making them ideal for schools, or families with backyard poultry.

Simplified BSF Approach SIMBA

This model caters to small scale operations, such as rural entrepreneurs and smallholder farmers. It focuses on replicable processes that are easy to manage without requiring advanced infrastructure or expertise. These systems leverage local resources and waste streams, enabling farmers to create a side business by selling larvae or using them as animal feed.

Centralized Facility in Tropical Regions

This system is designed for warm climates, where natural conditions reduce the need for expensive climate control. They can process large volumes of organic waste from various sources, such as municipal waste, markets, and agricultural by-products. These facilities often adopt low-cost infrastructure, such as simple treatment beds, and can serve as hubs for waste collection and BSF production. Facilities like Bioconvision in Uganda, LimaDOL in the Philippines or Chanzi in Tanzania are examples for such facilities.

Container-Based/Decentralized System

Modular and mobile, these systems allow for flexible waste management in urban or semi-urban areas. Containers can be deployed at different locations, processing waste close to its source. This reduces transportation costs and emissions while enabling efficient waste treatment. Such systems are particularly useful for businesses or municipalities with distributed waste sources. Reploid for example takes advantage of empty agricultural structures to turn them into decentralised BSF facilities. Other examples for decentralised systems are Flybox, LIVIN farms, or Manna Insect.

Centralized Medium-to Large-Scale Facility

These systems handle significant waste volumes and require standardized processes, such as automated feeding and harvesting. They are suited for urban or industrial areas where waste generation is high, and markets for BSF products are accessible. While they require substantial investment, they achieve economies of scale and produce consistent outputs, making them attractive to investors. The Chilean company F4F for example, treats about 30 tons of waste per day. Also Entobel in Vietnam and Chanzi in Tanzania represent this type of system.

Large-Scale Industry Pioneers

These high-tech, automated facilities are the epitome of industrial BSF production. Designed for maximum efficiency, they incorporate cutting-edge technologies such as robotics and advanced climate control. They cater to large-scale operations targeting international markets, such as aquafeed manufacturers or pet food companies. These facilities demand significant expertise and investment but promise high productivity and profitability. Representatives of this category are Agronutris, Protix, or EnviroFlight.

SYSTEM MODULES

Regardless of the system you choose to implement, each BSF system requires three key elements:

In addition to those key elements, your BSF project might require additional modules. For information on the key elements, or any of the additional modules below, download the report.

FULL REPORT

Click here to download the full report.

Part I of the report covers the key aspects of BSF technology, including its biology, practical applications, operating models, and the impact of the legal landscape. It also explores the environmental, ethical, and socio-cultural
dimensions of BSF systems.

Download Part 1

Part II of the report helps readers identify the appropriate combination of technology units for their specific needs. It presents various system templates and describes the elements of individual system modules, outlining their advantages and disadvantages.

Download Part 2

Authors

Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC)