In the capital, UAB „Energesman“ officially launched its innovative fly larvae rearing and orange bag processing equipment. The Vilnius region has become one of the first in the world where kitchen waste discarded by the population is processed into fly larvae, which are then used to produce progressive products for industry and agriculture, and the larvae themselves are also used as bait for fishing. 

Starting – Starting – Continuing –

„We have successfully completed our trials and can now officially launch our innovation and congratulate the people of Vilnius region for being among the world leaders in the management of their discarded kitchen waste. Leaders because this is still a very new solution where fly larvae technology is applied specifically to the management of residents' food and green waste. Until now, fly larvae have been attempted with waste from agriculture or the catering sector," said Vaidotas Pečiukaitis, Technical Director of „Energesman“, at the presentation.

According to him, the official launch of fly and fly larvae rearing – is just the beginning. The technology and processes will be further refined to adapt to Lithuania's climatic conditions and to the kitchen waste sorted into orange bags by the population.  

„A unique and sophisticated system is now operational and has been tested with positive results. This not only increases recycling, but also promotes a circular economy, where waste is recycled back into the market as other products, bringing both environmental benefits and placing Vilnius among the most innovative cities in the world," says Dalius Krinickas, Head of the Energy Division of the Vilnius City Municipality Administration.

The operator of the Vilnius region's household and kitchen waste sorting plant, „Energesman“, has invested €1 million in fly larvae rearing equipment – it was specially made to meet the needs of Vilnius residents in the Netherlands. 

An additional €1.1 million was invested by Vilnius County Waste Management Centre UAB „VAATC“ in automatic orange bag unpacking and kitchen waste cleaning equipment, which prepares organic matter for flies and their larvae.

„We are pleased with the bold steps we have taken to modernise our plant and introduce new ways of managing waste. Optimal management of kitchen waste is not only an issue for Lithuania – it is on the minds of Europe and advanced countries around the world. It is important to separate kitchen waste so that it does not contaminate other waste and is easier to recycle. It is also important to find a way to make the best use of it and to create the highest added value in order to strengthen the circular economy and the country's competitiveness," says Marius Banaitis, Environmental Specialist at „VAATC“.

Many uses

It is estimated that the population of the Vilnius region generates on average 40 000 tonnes of green kitchen waste per year. So far, only a small proportion of this is sorted into orange bags – last year, around 2,700 tonnes of kitchen and green waste reached the plant.  

Food waste discarded by residents contains around 30-40% protein and fat – these are valuable nutrients that are intended to be exploited for larval rearing. 

„By using kitchen waste for larval rearing, we can preserve valuable proteins – this would eliminate the need to import soy or other protein products from abroad. This is a great way to use food waste in an innovative way," says Walter Jansen, CEO of „Amusca BV“ and a scientist who is working with Lithuanians to develop the fly larvae technology.

One of the opportunities – to produce protein products and oils for industry. Proteins are needed for the production of paints, thinners, glues, furniture and lighting. The oils can be used for biofuels, and the fatty acids in the larvae are suitable for biodiesel production. Fly larvae waste becomes organic fertiliser for agriculture.

„Products from larvae are in high demand worldwide and we already have preliminary agreements on where we will be able to supply proteins and oils from larvae, as well as fertilisers. We also hope that our fishermen will be fishing with Lithuanian larvae in Lithuanian rivers and lakes already this year – we are actively discussing the supply of larvae for the production of fishing bait (dzikas). We just need to reach the necessary production volumes to be able to meet all these needs," says Algirdas Blazgys, Director of „Energesman“.

Organic matter produced from kitchen waste can also be used to produce biomethane. The larvae are also suitable for scientific applications – such uses are currently being tested.  

„Legislation stipulates that products made from fly larvae can only be used in industry and will not be used for human consumption,– says the company's CEO.

The best insect – houseflies

„The facility in Vilnius – is one of the first projects in the world where fly larvae are raised by feeding on food waste collected from the population. This is the first time that this equipment has been designed for industrial use, and until now it has only been available in a laboratory in the Netherlands," says the scientist.

Home flies (Musca Domestica) are the best insect for treating food waste, he says, and they are the fastest to achieve the desired result, being naturally distributed almost all over the world, and are also found in Lithuania. 

„One container will hold about 6 million flies, each of which can lay about 30 eggs a day. This will produce around 180 million eggs, which will hatch into a corresponding number of larvae in one cycle. And so the automatic process will continue, so we plan to produce billions of larvae per year," says Mr Pečiukaitis.

The flies live for 21 days on average, so their population will also need to be regularly updated from the hatched larvae. 

It is estimated that recycling 1 tonne of kitchen waste from the population will produce up to 90 kg of larvae. 

The Vilnius Mechanical and Biological Treatment Plant operated by Energesman sorts mixed municipal waste and food waste from all over Vilnius County, which includes 8 municipalities: the city of Vilnius and the districts of Vilnius, Trakai, Elektrėnai, Ukmergė, Švenčionys, Šalčininkai and Širvintos. The plant sorts about 220,000 tonnes of waste per year.

The Vilnius Mechanical and Biological Treatment Plant is owned by „VAATC“. „VAATC“ takes care of the unified organisation of the waste management system in the Vilnius region and the infrastructure for the proper operation, collection and further management of waste streams.