The Seagull Centre is pioneering an exciting new initiative to revolutionise organic waste processing in the Coromandel. With funding from the Ministry for the Environment’s Waste Minimisation Fund, Waikato Regional Council, and support from Environmental and Scientific Research (ESR) and Canterbury University, the Centre is launching a pilot project to explore the commercial potential of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) for organic waste treatment.

Using advanced technology developed in Finland and adopted in over 20 countries, the project will employ climate-controlled enclosed systems to breed BSFL. These larvae will process a variety of organic wastes, including food waste and biosolids from sewage treatment plants, converting them into high-quality insect protein suitable for animal and fish feed.

Seagull Centre Chair, Ian Coatsworth, highlights the potential impact:

"This project reflects 18 months of dedicated effort by our team and partners. We’re thrilled to contribute to a technology that not only reduces waste sent to landfill but also creates valuable byproducts."

Project Lead, Louise Deane, adds:

"With landfill disposal costs on the rise, this technology offers a sustainable, cost-effective solution for smaller communities. It allows us to process waste locally, reducing transportation needs and producing lightweight, high-quality outputs."

The three-year project will trial various post-consumer food and organic wastes in Thames before expanding to other Coromandel locations. The goal is to develop a decentralised processing model tailored to the needs of rural and provincial areas, providing cost-effective waste management, creating local jobs, and enhancing community resilience to disruptions such as road closures and extreme weather events.

As a community resource recovery hub in operation for 19 years, the Seagull Centre has long been a leader in promoting the circular economy in the Coromandel. This project aligns with its commitment to divert waste from landfills while fostering sustainable innovation.

For more information, contact:

Louise Deane
Email Louise here.

Together, let’s turn waste into opportunity and create a greener, more resilient future for the Coromandel.