Dhaka's fresh markets are estimated to generate over 5,000 tons of organic matter every day, but what is thrown away as waste can be put to good use and prove a valuable and renewable source of energy.
Such were the views expressed by participants at a national dialogue arranged on Tuesday to discuss investment opportunities in converting food waste into energy. Around 100 people from government departments, city corporations, development organizations, fresh-market committees and the private sector took part in the dialogue.
The dialogue, held at the Department of Public Health Engineering, was organized by the Dhaka Food System (DFS) project of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Selim Reza, CEO of Dhaka North City Corporation, was the chief guest.
Bio-digesters could generate biogas from the huge amount of urban food waste. Biogas is a mixture of gases from raw materials, such as agricultural waste, manure, municipal waste, plant material, sewage, green waste and food waste.
Xavier Bouan, Senior Technical Adviser of FAO, delivers opening speech at the National Dialogue CourtesyExperts from FAO as well as Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands delivered presentations which included lessons learned from energy production in markets gained from a study tour to Bangkok and Melbourne earlier this year.
Xavier Bouan, the project's senior technical adviser, said: “The amount of waste generated increases every day due to population growth and urban expansion. To increase the limited available lifespan of existing landfills, it is essential to promote the recycling of food-related waste, which comprises a significant portion of municipal waste.”
He added: “Organic waste and inorganic waste are discharged separately from fresh markets, restaurants, and hotels. Organic waste can be used as a raw material for composting and biogas production and can be collected relatively easily.”
Xavier Bouan Senior Technical Adviser Of Fao Delivers Opening Speech At The National Dialogue CourtesyDhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) produce 2.7 to 2.9 million tons of waste annually, according to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives. About 70% of the waste is food-related organic waste.
The FAO project aims to reduce the city's food loss and waste.
Recently, FAO observed International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste by organizing a consultation meeting in collaboration with DNCC, Hotel, Guesthouse and Restaurant Owners Association of Bangladesh, and food delivery services.
The project is training officials at 130 fresh markets across four city corporations – Dhaka North, Dhaka South, Gazipur and Narayanganj – on food safety, food loss and waste reduction, food handling, waste management and waste segregation.
In addition, the project will provide 370 bins to ten model fresh markets in a bid to promote waste segregation.
Audience At The National Dialogue CourtesyBlack soldier flies
Another alternative method for waste disposal is using black soldier flies (Hermetia illucens).
FAO is piloting this option with Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University.
Black soldier fly larvae feed voraciously on various types of organic waste, including food waste, agro-industrial byproducts, and chicken and dairy manure.
They reduce the initial weight of the organic waste by about 50% in a shorter period than conventional composting.
Black soldier fly larvae have been proven to convert organic waste into high-quality nutrients for pet foods, fish and poultry feeds, residue fertiliser, and pet food.
These flies can be grown on various types of organic waste, including food and vegetable market waste.
The production of insect-based animal feed can contribute to a more resilient and sustainable food system in Dhaka.
