Transforming Waste Into Fertiliser, Biofuel, and Livestock Feed: Hawkesbury City Council’s Black Soldier Fly Trial

Intro

Hawkesbury City Council is embarking on a pioneering initiative to convert up to 20 tonnes of putrescible waste per day into fertiliser, biofuel, and livestock feed. By partnering with Australian biotechnology company ARC Ento Tech, the New South Wales council aims to demonstrate a forward-thinking approach to tackling organic waste that typically ends up in landfill. The 12-month trial will run at the Hawkesbury Waste Management Facility and could significantly reduce both the volume of waste destined for landfill and the methane emissions normally generated by decomposing organic matter.

Putrescible waste usually includes food scraps, organic debris, and other biodegradables that emit potent greenhouse gases—chiefly methane—when sealed off in landfill. As the Hawkesbury facility and the entire Greater Sydney region approach diminishing landfill capacity (projected to run out by 2030), the council is exploring innovative organic waste processing technologies to both extend landfill lifespan and foster a more sustainable waste management framework.

The Role of Black Soldier Fly Larvae

Central to this trial is the use of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae, which are quickly gaining attention in the waste management and agriculture industries. Black soldier flies are known for their voracious appetite, allowing them to rapidly convert large volumes of organic material into two highly valuable outputs:

1. Larval By-Product (Frass): As the larvae feed, they excrete a nutrient-rich residue (often called “frass”) that can be collected and used as a natural fertiliser. This by-product is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—key plant nutrients—making it valuable to both conventional agriculture and organic farming.

2. Larval Biomass: Once the larvae reach the end of their lifecycle, they can be harvested and processed into a high-protein livestock feed. Black soldier fly larvae contain high levels of protein and healthy fats, making them a more sustainable alternative to traditional animal feeds like fishmeal or soy, the production of which has known environmental challenges such as overfishing or deforestation.

In the Hawkesbury City Council trial, 20 tonnes of putrescible waste will be fed to black soldier fly larvae daily, drawing from the council’s red bin collections. After consuming the majority of the organic content, the larvae will be harvested, and the frass will be captured for potential on-selling or direct agricultural use. Residual organic and inorganic by-products from this process can also be diverted for biofuel production, creating yet another valuable revenue or cost-offset opportunity.

Addressing Landfill Capacity and Methane Emissions

Mayor Les Sheather underscored the importance of this venture, noting that all current projections indicate that Greater Sydney’s existing landfill capacity will be exhausted by 2030, and the Hawkesbury facility is no exception. By diverting food and organic waste away from landfill, black soldier fly larvae can significantly reduce the methane emitted when food waste decomposes under anaerobic conditions. Additionally, removing these organics from the regular waste stream can free up much-needed landfill space for materials that are less readily recycled or composted, effectively extending the life of the Hawkesbury Waste Management Facility.

As the Mayor emphasized, the trial demonstrates an innovative addition to the council’s ongoing waste reduction efforts. According to Sheather, this method has the potential to revolutionise how we manage waste both in the Hawkesbury region and across Australia, ensuring that local residents benefit from an affordable and sustainable waste service for years to come.

Operational Aspects and Environmental Safeguards

The trial is set to be contained within the confines of the existing Hawkesbury Waste Management Facility. This means that, under current planning permissions, there should be no additional environmental impact on the surrounding communities. The Hawkesbury Planning Panel has granted the necessary clearance for temporary shelters to house the larvae and ancillary equipment, and the council is now working with NSW EPA to finalize the regulatory approvals required for the twelve-month pilot.

Throughout the trial, the facility will monitor several key metrics:

• Daily Tonnage: Ensuring the process can continuously handle 20 tonnes of incoming putrescibles.
• Larval Growth and Feed Conversion: Measuring how efficiently the larvae process the waste.
• Fertiliser Quality: Assessing the nutrient profile of the resulting frass to verify its suitability for various agricultural applications.
• Livestock Feed Potential: Evaluating the protein content and purity of the harvested larvae.
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Quantifying reductions in methane generation relative to baseline landfill data.

If these metrics demonstrate operational and financial viability, the council hopes to expand or permanently implement this method of organic waste processing. Future scaling could potentially broaden the scope to include multiple councils, significantly increasing organic waste diversion in the Greater Sydney region.

A Broader Global Trend

Hawkesbury’s black soldier fly trial is part of a global trend that sees public and private sectors investing in insects as a solution for various waste and feed challenges. Municipalities and waste management companies worldwide are exploring the potential of BSF larvae, thanks to their efficiency in bioconversion, relatively low infrastructure requirements, and the robust value chain generated from by-products. In addition to producing fertiliser and protein, black soldier fly operations often integrate well with circular economy principles, where one process’s waste stream becomes another industry’s valuable input.

Looking Ahead

While there is still significant work and research to be done, this venture has high potential to reshape waste management not just in Hawkesbury, but across New South Wales and the rest of Australia. A successful trial could attract investment, spur the creation of new jobs, and encourage other councils to adopt insect-based waste management strategies—especially as landfill space becomes increasingly scarce.

For those interested in learning more about the trial and its progress, Hawkesbury City Council encourages you to visit their official website at www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au.

This pioneering project exemplifies how collaboration between local government and biotech innovators can address urgent waste challenges while turning organic refuse into valuable, sustainable resources.