Not many people would see a link between composting, flies and the preservation of marine ecosystems.
However, in countries with limited to no waste management, there is!
Organic waste is a major issue in coastal communities like Vizhinjam and Kotappuram in southern India. With high density living in close proximity to estuaries and the ocean, organic waste is often dumped directly into the water.
The result? High nutrient levels leading to eutrophication of waterways, diseases caused by rodents and high methane emissions (up to 84x more potent than CO2!).
Krishna, working in isolation to develop the most effective composting techniques for our CaP systems.
Our Community Outreach and Waste Management Coordinator Krishna and our intern Greshma have been working behind the scenes over the past few months, making use of the lockdown to trial household composting systems using a variety of techniques and awe-inspiring Black Soldier Fly Larvae. They’ve had success with breaking down vegetables, fruits, chopped-up garden waste and even meat and fish - and managed to get the whole process down to just a two-week period!
These piping tubes were the first step in our Black Soldier Fly composting trials, which commenced 3 months ago.
Composting doesn’t have to be complicated. These DIY systems will form part of our community composting / aquaponic projects.
The incredible Black Soldier Fly Larvae are at the heart of our Composting and Aquaponic systems and can break down organic waste (including animal products) in less than two weeks!
These trials are informing the development of our household guides for local people in the fishing communities in which we work. They form part of our award-winning Composting and Aquaponic systems - turning plastic and food waste into decentralised food production systems! As you can see from the pics, they also produce a nutrient-rich compost, which can then be sold on to local farms as a natural fertiliser! These are truly closed-loop systems and our team are excited to see how they can create new economic opportunities whilst taking pressure off and protecting local marine life!
Krishna checking the systems a few days after adding organic waste.
Black Soldier Fly Larvae and organic waste are the key to nutrient-rich compost!
A small contraption to attract Black Soldier Flies to lay their eggs in. In turn, the hatched fly larvae feed our composting system!
The end result? Rich, fertile soil that can be used locally to grow crops and…
a new generation of flies who are at the heart of our project and have the potential to help save our estuaries and oceans in coastal communities around the world!