In a move towards sustainable waste management, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has decided to adopt hermiculture/black soldier fly (BSF) technology to process 200 tonnes of biowaste generated in the city daily. Ento Proteins Private Limited, the agency responsible for piloting the technology, has quoted a nominal tipping fee of Re. 1 per tonne for the processing.
The MCC had previously initiated a pilot project in 2021 to convert biowaste into manure using BSF technology, starting with 50-80 tonnes of waste. The project proved to be eco-friendly and received approval from the Solid Waste Management (SWM) committee, led by the Deputy Commissioner. Subsequently, tenders were invited to select an agency for large-scale implementation.
During the tender process, the lone bidder quoted a tipping price of Rs. 480 per tonne, which was judged excessive. The charge was reduced to Rs. 80 per tonne in the second tender. The SWM committee authorised the tender because waste management is a critical service. Following discussions, the agency agreed to process biowaste for a tonne tipping fee of Re 1.
According to a media report, the terms of the contract mentioned that Ento Proteins Private Limited will be granted a five-year contract to process wet waste using BSF technology, with a possibility of a two-year extension based on performance. The MCC will provide 10 acres of land in Pachanady to establish the necessary infrastructure for the project. The wet waste collected from the city will be handed over to the agency at the designated location.
The proposal to implement the new biowaste processing technology was recently approved at a council meeting of the MCC. This initiative is expected to significantly reduce the burden on the city corporation and lead to cost savings in waste management. The MCC hopes to improve its waste management practices and contribute to a cleaner, greener environment by utilising sustainable technology such as BSF.
The introduction of this new technology represents a huge step forward in Mangaluru’s effective biowaste management. Cities may get closer to creating a sustainable and ecologically sensitive future with sustained efforts and innovation in waste management practices.