From Food Waste to Valuable Resources: IMES Students Explore Black Soldier Fly Circular Economy Innovation

Professor Cheng-Jen Shih explains the automated control system that manages feeding, environmental conditions, and the rotation of the multi-layer black soldier fly larval rearing system. (Photo by IMES)
Professor Cheng-Jen Shih explains the automated control system that manages feeding, environmental conditions, and the rotation of the multi-layer black soldier fly larval rearing system. (Photo by IMES)
The seven-tier black soldier fly larval bioconversion system demonstrates the larvae’s growth process, with newly hatched larvae introduced at the top tier and gradually moving through each level as they consume organic food waste and mature. (Photo by IMES)
The seven-tier black soldier fly larval bioconversion system demonstrates the larvae’s growth process, with newly hatched larvae introduced at the top tier and gradually moving through each level as they consume organic food waste and mature. (Photo by IMES)
After reaching maturity, the black soldier fly larvae are automatically sorted by size using a screening machine before being processed into protein-rich animal feed, while the remaining organic residue is converted into fertilizer. (Photo by IMES)
After reaching maturity, the black soldier fly larvae are automatically sorted by size using a screening machine before being processed into protein-rich animal feed, while the remaining organic residue is converted into fertilizer. (Photo by IMES)
Date : 2026-07-21 Department : International Master’s Program of Applied Economics and Social Development

【Article by IMES 】

Students from the International Master's in Applied Economics and Social Development (IMES) program at National Chengchi University (NCCU) recently toured an off-site food waste processing facility operated by a local hotpot restaurant chain that has adopted a black soldier fly larval bioconversion system. The visit, organized by IMES Professor Alicia Say, gave students a firsthand look at how food waste from a restaurant is transformed into animal feed and organic fertilizer.

The facility is where Professor Cheng-Jen Shih of National Taiwan University has deployed his patented bioconversion system, which pioneers the use of black soldier fly larvae for food waste conversion and circular resource utilization in Taiwan. Through partnerships with local businesses, Professor Shih has demonstrated how academic research can be translated into practical waste management solutions, including this facility, where the restaurant's food waste is processed through larval bioconversion.

During the tour, students observed the full waste-to-resource pipeline, from raw food waste intake to larval processing and end-product extraction. They observed different stages of larval cultivation, learned about feedstock preparation and environmental controls, and discussed the operational and economic considerations of scaling insect-based waste treatment. Professor Shih also noted that the entire operation is a closed-loop, low-risk process requiring only a single worker to run, even though the machine itself can handle up to 300 kg of food waste.

This scalability point carried into the broader significance of the visit: insect-based bioconversion represents a viable alternative to conventional food waste disposal methods while simultaneously generating economic value through protein-rich biomass. The conversation also turned to the policy context surrounding food waste management in Taiwan. The experience comes at a timely moment, as Taiwan moves toward a ban on feeding food waste to livestock by the end of 2026, prompting restaurants and companies across the country to seek sustainable alternatives for organic waste management.

"What struck me most was how scalable this model could be. A single machine handling this much waste with minimal labor makes me think about what it could mean for large commercial complexes looking for solutions for their own food waste footprint," said Ha Do, an IMES student from Vietnam.

This experience offered students a direct window into how academic research in sustainable waste management translates into scalable, real-world application. It bridges classroom concepts such as social innovation and sustainability into active industry practice. The site visit reflects IMES's commitment to connecting academic knowledge with practical engagement. By exposing students to emerging sustainability innovations and industry collaboration, the program aims to cultivate future professionals capable of addressing complex environmental and social challenges through interdisciplinary thinking and applied research.


 TAIPEI, July 8, 2026