The potential of insects in waste management – an introduction to possible applications

The increasing world population, the misuse of land and water as well as the rise of organic waste deplete our natural resources. Therefore, additional approaches need to be taken into account besides conventional strategies. The use of insects has entered its industrialisation stage and offers several sustainable options in terms of waste management, nutrient recycling and circular economy. An industrial insect waste conversion facility consists of multiple stages such as feed preparation, insect rearing and breeding as well as a processing plant. The possibilities in terms of feedstock reach from pre- and post-consumer food wastes, by-products from food and feed industry, remaining agricultural side streams as well as sludge, manure, human faeces and others. The obtained products can either be the clean, whole, living or dried insect, the outcome of its further processing and the remaining organic fraction, respectively. Further options are the utilization of side product streams and the inter-connection with other technologies such as biodiesel or biogas plants. The present investigation gives an overview about the insect market, its potential as waste management solution as well as the technological development of this upturning industry.