Insect farming could cut council and agricultural costs in the UK, according to waste management experts

Graham Matthews, waste management expert at BusinessWaste.co.uk, answers key questions on the topic of insect farming and the potential benefits it could bring to the UK's waste industry:

What is insect farming?

Insect farming is the process of using species such as black soldier fly larvae, crickets, and mealworms to transform food waste into valuable resources.

These insects can consume large volumes of discarded food that would otherwise end up in landfill. They rapidly convert it into a protein-rich feed for livestock and a nutrient-dense fertiliser for crops. This approach is efficient and fits the circular economy model, converting costly waste into valuable resources.

Which countries use insect farming?

Countries that currently use insect farms include: Thailand, France, South Africa, Canada, and the USA. Thailand is the world's largest producer of crickets and grasshoppers.³

The EU has welcomed insect farms, and the growth of the sector has been rapid, with trillions of insects set to be farmed by 2030.⁴

How could insect farms help?

Right now, the UK processes most food waste by converting it into compost or a process called anaerobic digestion. This is a biological process where microorganisms break down organic material (like food waste, manure, or crop residues) in the absence of oxygen to generate energy. While these processes work, they don't provide a high-value return on investment.

Insect farming would divert food waste into a process that can dramatically reduce emissions and make use of every output. The larvae themselves can be harvested for animal feed, while the by-product (frass) is a natural fertiliser that creates healthier soils without the environmental toll of synthetic chemicals.

For businesses under pressure to meet environmental targets, insect farming offers a great environmental benefit. It ensures nothing goes to waste, turning leftovers into useful products, prevents valuable material from going to landfill, and provides greener alternatives for both farming and food production. Tightening emissions regulations mean we may see more countries embrace this farming method.

Could it help the agriculture industry?

While livestock are fed a variety of foods, the UK agricultural sector is heavily dependent on feeds such as soy. The UK imports around 3 million tonnes of soy every year⁵ but the product causes some environmental and cost concerns. Insect protein provides a domestic alternative that's nutrient-heavy and sustainable to produce. For farmers it would mean a more resilient supply chain and less exposure to fluctuating commodity prices.

On the crop side, insect frass provides a quality organic fertiliser that enriches the structure of the soil and can boost crop yields. This would provide a more reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective solution for the agricultural sector.

Could it lower costs to councils and the public?

Insect farming has the potential to be more cost-effective than traditional food waste processing methods. Unlike composting or anaerobic digestion, which produce outputs of relatively low commercial value, insect farming generates high-value products such as protein and fats for animal feed and nutrient-rich fertiliser.

Initial setup costs would be higher due to the limited infrastructure of insect farming in the UK, but the long-term potential could be significant. As the industry develops, the value of the products may outweigh the costs. This would benefit councils and businesses by reducing the reliance on traditional waste disposal methods and offsetting waste disposal and raw materials costs. 

These benefits extend to the public too. Councils and businesses reduce their operational costs and generate valuable outputs from food waste, so these savings could help keep household waste collection and service costs down. Using insect-based feed can also support more sustainable food production, reducing reliance on imported soy feed for livestock, while the fertiliser produced improves soil health and crop quality. 

Together, these benefits could contribute to a greener environment, more resilient food waste management systems, and potentially more affordable and better quality products for consumers.

Could it lower council tax?

Research shows that around 7% of council tax goes towards supporting waste, recycling, and the environment⁶. With the average band D bill now sitting at £2,171 per year, that's around £151.97 spent on waste.⁷ 

Insect farming could also benefit the public through reduced pressure on council budgets. By generating high-value products from food waste, councils could lower operational costs for waste management and processing.

Over time, these savings could theoretically ease the need for council tax increases, or allow the saved funds to be redirected to other council services. This would create a direct financial benefit for households and support a more sustainable waste system.

Graham Matthews, waste collection expert at BusinessWaste.co.uk, comments:

"Insect farming has the potential to transform how the UK manages waste, but its success depends on how it is implemented. Infrastructure in the UK is currently limited, and significant investment would be needed to scale operations. Regulation, food safety standards, and public perception will also play a crucial role in determining whether this approach can be widely adopted across the country.

"However, there are benefits that insect farming could bring (as we've seen in other countries), such as lesser reliance on imports and reduced emissions. For councils, it offers the possibility of lowering waste management costs, where these funds could be spent elsewhere. Across the agricultural sector, it could produce more resilient supply chains.

"If insect farming can be proven to work at scale, it could ease pressure on council budgets, support more domestic food production and deliver environmental and financial benefits to the public. In a time of rising costs and environmental concerns, it could be a viable solution."