Insects tackling food waste

Maggots could hold the key to tackling Australia’s food waste issues.

CSIRO scientists have been developing the right conditions and diet for flies to reproduce to boost their egg laying.

They’re then used by Canberra start-up Goterra, with the insects used to eat through waste, turning it into waste.

Chief Executive and Founder, Olympia Yarger told Macquarie’s Rural Reporter Eddie Summerfield, it’s an incredibly efficient way of reduce waste.

“One tonne of larvae will eat five tonnes of food waste in one day, and they’ll continue to process waste for up to 15 days of their life before they’ll start to want to turn into a fly,” Ms Yarger said.

“We’ve created a solution to managing food waste that’s faster than composting, and can be closer to the source of where the waste was created.”

As well as breaking down food waste, the insects could be of use for farmers.

“If it is the right blend, and isn’t contaminated, we can use that blend to feed livestock,” Ms Yarger said.

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