Solutions for a Better Tomorrow
Revolutionising Waste Management -
Transforming Waste into Wealth with Nature's Blueprint
The Current Challenges
- Plastic Waste Crisis: The world faces a mounting plastic waste problem, with major synthetic polymers like PE, PET, PP, PS, and PLA contributing significantly to environmental pollution.
- Food Waste Crisis: The Greater Bay Area, a major business and tourist hub, generates substantial food waste, necessitating effective management solutions.
Our Innovation and Breakthrough
Our innovative technology utilises insects to accelerate the biodegradation of both plastic and food waste. We have developed an enhancer from food waste that increases the rate at which insects consume plastic by around 75 %, while maintaining their reproductive ability even when consuming plastic. We have also developed a new and more straightforward method to produce essential materials from the resulting insects.
The Impact
Our technology harnesses mealworms to generate sustainable resources, such as protein-rich feedstock and organic materials, fostering a circular economy. By advancing biodegradation processes, we diminish dependence on conventional waste management, contributing to a healthier and more sustainable environment.
Team Leader
Professor Matthew Lui, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry
Professor Danny Chi-man Leong, Assistant Professor in Environmental Science, Department of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University
Interested in Our Innovation?
Contact us at itpr@hkbu.edu.hk to explore collaboration and partnership opportunities.