Development of a Greenhouse Gas Calculator for Black Soldier Fly Waste Processing Facilities

Black soldier fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens) larvae offer a practical pathway to upcycle organic waste into protein-rich biomass and nutrient-rich residue while reducing waste volumes and methane-forming disposal. This potential is especially relevant in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), where rapidly growing waste streams are often openly dumped or landfilled and capital, energy, and data constraints shape technology choices. Yet practitioners lack a standardized way to quantify the climate performance of BSF facilities. This thesis presents an Excel-based greenhouse gas (GHG) calculator tailored to BSF waste processing in LMIC contexts. Using cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) and a functional unit of 1 ton wet waste, the tool quantifies CO 2 , CH 4 , and N 2 O emissions during substrate preparation, reproduction, larval treatment, downstream processing, and frass stabilization, while also crediting avoided emissions from landfill and composting diversion.