A hotel in Petaling Jaya, Selangor has launched a food waste management initiative to reduce waste sent to landfills.
The process involves entomal mobile bioconversion, which efficiently transforms food waste into nutrient-rich insect protein and organic fertiliser.
These serve as sustainable animal feed for urban livestock farmers while the fertiliser enhances soil quality for urban farming and landscaping.
Food waste is thus converted into valuable commodities, helping create a circular economy and reduce carbon emissions.
Le Meridien Petaling Jaya, a member of WCT Holdings Bhd and Marriott International, said it monitored the hotel’s monthly food waste and carbon emission reductions.
It also tracks production of black soldier fly larvae used as local farm feed as well as frass (insect manure) used as organic fertiliser.
This ensures the hotel can measure its impact accurately and make informed decisions to further improve its sustainability practices.
Le Meridien Petaling Jaya general manager Christopher Moore said since the onsite activation of the system in April, the programme had reduced the hotel’s food waste by around 1,200kg per month.
“To date, the total collection of food waste being treated is 3,175.9kg, larvae protein harvested is 485.05kg, fertiliser harvested is 698.30kg, total carbon emission equivalent prevented is 7.93tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and we have saved 782 trees.
“The effort not only enhances the hotel’s operational efficiency but also raises awareness about food waste among guests and employees.
“The hotel’s dedicated team, including members from engineering, stewarding and culinary departments, manages everything from waste collection to processing and final product utilisation,” he said.
The programme is partnered by Entomal Biotech Sdn Bhd. Its commercial officer Yanni Xinyan Ching said this decomposition method consumed less energy and produced less methane gas.
“As we are aware, food waste in the hospitality industry is a significant issue with environmental and economic implications.
“We applaud Le Meridien Petaling Jaya for taking the important step towards reducing waste sent to the landfill and embracing the circular economy.
“This initiative brings numerous benefits to the hotel and the broader community,” she said.
