Critical Issue: Waste Management

When dealing with waste management arises the critical issue it can have as a threat to the environment if not handled correctly. If waste is managed or disposed of incorrectly it can have extremely negative effects on the environment and the people around it. This is an issue that has the potential of developing a whole other income source for those working in waste management in the business industry. The black soldier fly and other insects similar to it can be used to break down organic waste, turning it into composite or animal feed (Carter 2024).

Black soldier flies have the ability to make a change in the waste management field and create revenue from something otherwise discarded. These waste management companies can take advantage of collecting this waste for free and getting these flies in order to start this process themselves. In doing so once they have turned the waste into composite or animal feed, the company can then proceed to turn around and sell it making revenue off of something once seen as trash. 

While black soldier flies are widely praised for their role in sustainable waste recycling, ethical concerns remain—especially regarding large-scale farming. Although humans have traditionally farmed animals for food and other resources, the mass production of insects brings new ethical considerations. As researchers from Rethink Priorities highlight, "Farmed insect welfare is poorly understood, and animal welfare in the industry is completely unregulated, despite some interest in insect welfare by producers, consumers, and academics" (Barrett 2022). The absence of regulations raises important questions about how black soldier flies are housed, handled, and harvested. Some argue that much like traditional livestock farming, insect farming should also follow humane practices to ensure ethical treatment, even in large-scale operations (Fischer et al., 2022).