Deekshith DV

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Jun 4: Management and disposal of wet waste is one of the biggest challenges that growing cities face, and it has been no different for Mangaluru. Now, in what is the first of its kind initiative in the entire country, and arguably in the world, Mangaluru has become completely organic when it comes to wet waste management.

In a novel initiative to process wet waste produced in the city, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has teamed up with a start-up that employs Black Soldier Fly (BSF) technology to convert the waste into useful, enriched manure.

In 2020-21, the MCC presented Ento Proteins Private Limited with the opportunity to produce manure with the help of the Black Soldier Fly Technology on a pilot basis. With the process showing positive results, the company has now been awarded the contract for three years.

Compost unit

Unit

Eggs

Pupae

Larvae

Adult

On a daily basis, nearly 100 to 120 tonnes of wet waste is generated from restaurants, flats, and houses in the city. Moreover, as the city’s human population is steadily increasing, the quantity of wet waste generated may increase by up to 200 tonnes. The need to meet the city's growing demand to manage waste is thus urgent and requires modern solutions.

Research has shown that Black Soldier Fly technology has proved to be an eco-friendly, and a better alternative to vermicompost and composting technology. The organic waste generated by houses and restaurants is used by the Black Soldier Fly technology to produce enriched manure. Earlier, windrow composting was used to treat wet waste, which took three to four months to convert the waste into compost manure. However, the composting technology had a few demerits including the issues of organic decay emitting a foul smell and the problem of leachate. In vermiculture or vermicomposting, the manure is produced with the help of tanks. However, large-scale production of manure with the help of this technology is difficult.

Across the world, attention is now being drawn to the Black Soldier Fly technology to produce manure from organic waste. While there has been plenty of research and steps taken to execute the method in limited environments, Mangaluru has become the first city to employ this technique to manage all its wet waste, thereby going completely organic.

Speaking to daijiworld.com, entomologist and senior project head Dr Nagaraj D N said, "For the first time in the country, Ento Proteins Private Limited has employed Black Soldier Fly (BSF) technology in the limits of municipal and city corporations. This is the first time this technology has been introduced in municipal waste management.

"It is the best process for wet waste management. The Black Soldier Fly technology is nature's perfect ally in converting wet waste into valuable resources. Witness the transformative power of the black soldier fly technology as it efficiently processes wet waste, paving the way for a circular economy that minimizes waste and maximizes value," he adds.

Dr Nagaraj also states that the manure produced from this technology is enriched and can be used for agriculture, horticulture, and terrace gardening. The cost of the manure will be approximately Rs 6 to 8 per kg.

He goes on to add that the role of the public is crucial in segregating waste. The public should segregate waste carefully, as this will help the people who segregate the waste in dumping yards. Countries like Europe, South Africa, and some parts of South East Asia have already adopted this technology.

Black soldier flies grow by feeding on the organic waste matter. Unlike other flies, these flies do not reside in human dwellings and are only present in areas where there is organic waste. These flies feed on organic matter and lay their eggs. Interestingly, adult black flies do not feed, and only the black soldier flies in the larva stages feed a lot, up to twice their body weight. Over the 17 days of the larva cycle, they can grow up to 5000 times their birth weight.

Ento Proteins Private Limited Corporations produce and multiply these black soldier flies in large numbers in their laboratory. Later, the larvae are allowed to feed on the organic waste. When these flies are present in organic waste, they do not allow other insects to breed there, thus reducing the problem of house flies. Moreover, the leachate problem will also be reduced and there is no foul smell emitted during the process.

Currently, the pilot base of the Ento Proteins Private Limited Corporation procures 50 to 60 tonnes of waste. Once the larvae are allowed to feed on this waste, it takes 12 days to obtain manure. Producing manure with the help of black soldier flies is a sequential process from day 1 to day 12. However, due to the high atmospheric humidity in Mangaluru, it takes around 30 days to obtain manure.

In the coming days, the MCC will be allotting 10 acres for the complete process.

Speaking to daijiworld.com, Premananda Shetty, chief whip of the ruling party in the MCC stated, "The MCC is using the Black Soldier Fly technology for the first time. Nowhere in the state, in corporations, or in the municipality, this technology is used. There is no doubt about the technology. It is a wonderful technology to procure manure. MCC will provide organic waste and land for the agency. Initially, we have given them land and wet waste on a pilot basis for a period of 6 months. As there was progress in technology, we continued them for nearly two years."

Recently, after confirmation from the e-tender, Ento Proteins has been allotted the tender for a period of five years. Every year, this tender agreement will be renewed and it will be continued for three years. The MLA and local corporators have also appreciated this technology.

This will be hopefully useful to the people of the city, adds Premanand. Shetty.