IBC-Net: Insect Bioconversion as a novel means of broader organic waste management

Insect bioconversion (IBC) refers to the utilisation of insects in converting organic biomass wastes (such as food wastes) into sustainable inputs for food, feed and non-food industries.

Although core regulation in place currently in the UK allows for some forms of IBC to take place legally and compliantly, at present there remains a large gap in producers' abilities of to leverage the power of IBC to maximise organic biomass waste valorisation domestically.

In particular, it is currently illegal to use many types of organic wastes, such as animal product containing food wastes or manures, to farm insects on -- even when the insect in question, such as maggots, thrive in such environments naturally.

This project will seek to bring together producers, technologists, academics and regulators working in IBC, with the goal of further unlocking IBC use in the UK beyond existing practices, whilst ensuring safe and responsible practices.