This summary was prepared by Hamed Kioumarsi, EBM at Springer Nature, in collaboration with Bahareh Rafiei (Plant Protection Research Department, Gilan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Rasht, Iran) and Mehdi Farzpourmachiani (Technofest Institute of Technology University, Belgium).

Citation: Kioumarsi, H., Rafiei, B., & Farzpourmachiani, M. (2026). Transforming Organic Waste into Insect Meal for Sustainable Animal Production.  Springer Nature Communities. https://go.nature.com/3Vi3bbE

Introduction

Modern food systems are largely linear in nature, and there is a need to transition towards circular solutions where organic waste can be revalorized into products fit for purpose. In this regard, the transformation of organic residues into insect biomass, and subsequent conversion into animal feed and fertilizer, is a promising opportunity to increase the sustainability of animal production. Moreover, the topic fits within the overall trend to transition to resource-efficient, low-carbon production systems, which is a key priority to address climate change and meet sustainable development goals. Here, I provide a brief review of the state of evidence on the opportunity of organic-waste-fed insects to support sustainable animal production systems, considering where the benefits are likely to be greatest, and what needs to change to support the development and adoption of such systems.

Why insects are a good fit to a circular bioeconomy

Insects are relatively efficient bioconverters as they can be raised on a wide range of low-value organic waste, require less space and energy to be productive, and offer high yields of protein- and lipid-rich biomass. In a circular design, organic waste that would have been disposed of (and likely undergone anaerobic fermentation and methane production) would be fed to larvae to produce valuable biomass, which can be utilized as protein source in aquafeed and/or monogastric and ruminant diets, and the frass (insect excreta mixed with undigested substrate) can be returned to the production system to provide fertilization.

This fits with multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including 12 (responsible consumption and production), 13 (climate action) and 2 (zero hunger), by supporting the minimization of waste, optimization of resources, and creation of value-added products. These themes are also pertinent to the overarching SDG perspective, where environmental conservation, resource efficiency, food systems, and social dimensions are considered as interrelated, requiring a collective and integrated approach.

From waste to feed: substrates, species and safety

The majority of the research focus has been on black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) and to some extent mealworms and crickets. The first two can be fed a variety of substrates, including fruit and vegetable wastes, brewery spent grain, and some other agri-food by-products, with acceptable growth and conversion rates. However, variation in nutrients and contaminants (e.g., pathogens, mycotoxins) and physical properties (particle size, moisture) among different waste streams will affect the suitability and performance of larvae.

Regulatory constraints present another key consideration. For example, EU legislation allows insect producers to use defined animal by-products (specifically, category 1) and certain former foodstuffs, but many kitchen wastes are currently restricted for use in insect production systems for biosecurity reasons. Heat treatment and strict restrictions on the types of food waste used will minimize the risk of pathogens and other contaminants but also add to the cost, affecting the economic viability of the process.

Environmental performance: promise and caveats

Life-cycle assessment (LCA) studies demonstrate that the climate and resource footprint of insect production depends primarily on two variables: the type of substrate and the sources of energy used. If done correctly – i.e., using true by-products and minimizing energy (particularly heat) input – several studies have reported that rearing insects on organic waste could compare favourably with other protein sources in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, and land use, especially for fishmeal and soybeans associated with forest destruction.

This is one of the key aspects that tie the topic to the overarching sustainable development agenda. Specifically, the transition to net-zero emissions requires enhanced resource efficiency, circularity, and the development of new, low-carbon technologies and production systems. Diverting biodegradable organic waste from landfill with its associated methane emissions is one way to contribute towards this goal.

However, several recent critical reviews highlight that benefits are not guaranteed and can be easily offset by the use of high-quality feedstuffs (e.g., grain-based) and the need for energy-intensive climate control in temperate regions. Particularly in the latter case, the production of a tonne of insect meal can generate more greenhouse gas emissions than soybean meal and, in some cases, fishmeal, if the energy used for drying and heating dominates the life cycle. This highlights the need to use proper waste streams and low-carbon energy (waste heat) in order to ensure net environmental benefits.

From larvae to livestock: animal production performance

In terms of feed, partial substitution of fishmeal or soybean meal with insect meal tends to maintain good growth and feed performance in both aquatic species and monogastric animals at lower inclusion levels, with species-specific thresholds. Beyond protein and amino acids, the lipid and chitin fractions may also be beneficial in modulating the gut microbiota and immunity, but these effects may be species-specific and depend on the production system and diet formulation. While less evidence is available to date, similar opportunities may be explored in ruminants, albeit with lower dietary inclusion rates.

A key sustainability consideration is whether substituting conventional protein sources with those from insect meal results in a true system-level benefit. If the production of these meals displaces soybeans from biodiversity-rich areas or forages traditionally used in aquaculture, then the benefits can extend to other sustainability goals, including conserving biodiversity. This is an important point as conservation of biodiversity and sustainable food systems are increasingly recognized as interconnected components of the broader sustainable development agenda.

Closing the loop: frass, farms and local economies

One step towards circularity is the use of the frass. As a fertilizer, it can provide essential plant nutrients and influence microbial activity in the soil, therefore supporting crop production. Coupling such a system with neighboring farms can help close the loop and provide additional benefits by reducing the use of commercial fertilizers and the environmental pressures associated with their use.

From an economic perspective, such a system can also support the creation of jobs and value-added products, particularly in low-income and informal economies, where organic waste tends to be more abundant. However, there are challenges for wider adoption and scalability of such a system, which include ensuring a stable supply of feedstock, processing and product quality assurance, and finding markets for insect-based products and frass.

Research and policy priorities

There are several research and policy priorities I would pursue to enable such systems to thrive, not least system-level LCAs of industrial-scale insect rearing facilities that would use organic waste under local energy regimes and explicitly consider the environmental footprint of the proteins displaced. Ecological research on circular designs that combine waste streams with insect rearing and crop fertilization are also important to maximize system-level benefits. Harmonization of regulations around the use of specific food wastes and the safety of insect products will also be important to support industry development, ensuring both public health and food security while minimizing environmental impact.

A fourth priority would be to explore the opportunity in the context of an integrated sustainability assessment, rather than individual environmental aspects. Climate change mitigation, conservation, biodiversity, food security, resource efficiency, and socio-economic development can be interconnected in multiple ways, and a systems-level perspective can highlight where opportunities lie. In this respect, an assessment using the SDGs as an analytical framework is particularly pertinent.

In summary, transforming organic waste into insect meal offers a valuable opportunity to contribute towards a circular bioeconomy and sustainable animal production system, but it needs to be developed with the focus on genuine waste, low-carbon energy, food and feed safety, and closing the loop. While its sustainability benefits are likely to be considerable, its contribution should be evaluated in a systems-level context that considers climate change, biodiversity, resource use, and food systems.

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