From environmental nuisance to environmental opportunity: housefly larvae convert waste to livestock feed

摘要: The livestock sector is in urgent need for more sustainable feed sources, because of the increased demand animal-source food and already high environmental costs associated with it. Recent developments indicate benefits rearing insects feed, suggesting that insect-based might become an important alternative source coming years. So far, however, this potential benefit waste-fed unknown. This study, therefore, explores impact using larvae common housefly grown on poultry manure waste as feed. Data were provided by a laboratory plant Netherlands aiming to design industrial larvae. Production 1 ton dry matter meal directly resulted global warming 770 kg CO2 equivalents, energy use 9329 MJ land 32 m2, caused water, electricity, flies, eggs meal, also has indirect consequences. Food waste, example, was originally used production bio-energy. Accounting these consequences implies, e.g., including needed replace original bio-energy function waste. Assuming, furthermore, replaced 0.5 fishmeal soybean reduced (1713 m2), but (21,342 MJ) consequently (1959 CO2-eq). Results study will enhance transparent societal political debate about future options limitations impact, are situation specific, e.g. anaerobic digestion. In case would have been for, composting, related emission greenhouse gases decrease. Furthermore, process acquire still advancing, which offers reduce emissions. Eventually, scarcity increase further, whereas opportunities exist by, technical innovations or solar wind energy. Larvae production, sector.