The NSW company turning food waste into animal feed

CSIRO research has shown the effectiveness of Australian technology Food Recycle in turning commercial food waste into feed for Jade Perch.

For every 100kg of food produced, 30kg is wasted, according to the Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Food Recycle’s circular economy technology aims to address this issue.

In an example given by Food Recycle CEO Norm Boyle, the technology can turn 30kg of waste into 15kg of aquaculture feed. This feed can be used to breed 10kg of fish (in this case, Jade Perch). The waste from the fish is recycled, and through aquaponics, its nutrients are used to help grow 80kg of leafy greens.

“This Aussie fish can be farmed around the world. Instead of 30kg of food waste going to landfill, 10kg of fish and 80kg of leafy greens goes back to supermarket shelves – that’s what Food Recycle is all about,” says Boyle.

The trial was led by CSIRO Agriculture and Food Business Researcher, Dr Ha Truong, at the CSIRO research facility on Bribie Island, Queensland.

“We wanted to determine if using more sustainable and local ingredients would be beneficial for the growth of the fish and plants,” says Truong.

“The results of the trial confirmed the technical viability, and showed that upcycling waste produced high quality foods for the future,” she says.

The research follows in the wake of similarly favourable trials with layer hens, prawns, and barramundi, conducted by the CSIRO, Western Sydney University and University of New England.

“Food Recycle’s patented process delivers on sustainability, circular economy, and food security outcomes for the global community, so it’s vital that our processes are scientifically validated to achieve the outcomes they are designed for,” says Boyle.

Image: CSIRO Agriculture and Food Business Researcher Dr Ha Truong and Food Recycle CEO Norm Boyle.