Two major global environmental issues are food contamination and waste disposal. Professor Wong Ming-hung, Advisor (Environmental Science), and Dr. Brian Man Yu-bon, Assistant Professor, at the Department of Science and Environmental Studies at The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) have a solution for both. However, contamination can bring along health and environmental risks. Added to that is mercury pollution, which because of human industrial activity is now 450% higher than natural levels, according to the United Nations Environment Program.
These factors, along with the equally important aim to help ease pressure on existing landfill sites, have led Professor Wong and Dr. Man to develop a cleaner, cheaper fish feed using food waste. “We started off with fish which were low in the food chain, such as grass carp and gray mullet,” explains Professor Wong. “They have lower nutritional requirements.” Initial work began on pellets for pond fish back in 2009, with funding from Hong Kong’s Environment and Conservation Fund, followed by a grant from the Innovation and Technology Fund in 2015 for pellets for inland fish.
Commercializing the pellets successfully is the next big step. “This time around we’ve teamed up with a one-man company,” comments Professor Wong, “that adds agility to the project, but of course there are greater budget limitations.” The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of the Hong Kong government has organized workshops to promote the feed to fish farmers and recyclers who would potentially provide the raw materials. “It’s challenging to get the farmers to change their habits,” explains Dr. Man. “We’re hoping to get together a promotional package to persuade them, and the pellets still cost 20% less than the standard,” Professor Wong adds.
Source: Phys.org
Finnish site 
Global site