Funder:

European Union

Ministarstvo zaštite životne sredine

UNDP

Embassy of Sweden

European Investment Bank

Institut za vodoprivredu "Jaroslav Černi", Beograd

Partner: Belinda Animals d.o.o., Belgrade

Period: 2023

Project leader: Biljana Vasiljev, direktor Belinda Animals d.o.o.

Team members from IBISS:

Dr. Dajana Todorović

Dr. Larisa Ilijin

Dr. Vesna Perić Mataruga

Abstract

The aim of the project "Biodegradation of Plastics-Establishing an Incubator Center (Phase I)" is to develop a circulatory system with Tenebrio molitor larvae (mealworm). These larvae have a great potential: they can be used as alternative food for animals and humans, with high nutritional value (for livestock/aquaculture/pets and for humans, where there are legal regulations); their frass can be used as high-quality organic fertilizer; they have the ability to decompose different types of waste (plastic, organic waste...), reducing their amount in local landfills. It is planned to establish an Incubator center that will have both production and educational character. In this center, the larvae of T. molitor will be reared in an ecological way. On the other hand, interested farmers, agriculturists, florists, fish/pet breeders, etc. will be trained to establish small farms for mealworms in Serbia. In addition, small farmers can use bio-waste as substrate, which until now have been disposed of in local landfills or incinerated.
In this way, they have the opportunity to produce high-quality feed for domestic animals, thus significantly reducing their costs. In addition, the larvae decompose styrofoam (which is added to the rearing substrate), providing an innovative solution for plastic waste management. The decomposition of different types of waste by T. molitor larvae would lead to a reduction in overall environmental impact and economic profitability.

This solution is one of the best project proposals that arrived in response to the "The challenge for innovative solutions in the field of circular economy economy" and will receive financial support thanks to #EUZelenaAgendaRS