GoTerra is an Australian biotechnology company that addresses organic waste through insect-based recycling systems that convert food and agricultural byproducts into sustainable protein and fertiliser. The company’s facilities use black soldier fly larvae to eat waste that would otherwise go to landfill, breaking down organic material while producing nutrient-rich biomass and frass, a natural fertiliser. By diverting waste from waste streams and creating usable products, GoTerra supports more efficient cycles of resource use for farmers, food producers and waste generators.

Founded by experts with backgrounds in sustainability, agriculture and biology, GoTerra has developed a model that works with local partners to process organic material from a range of sources including food retailers, food processors and agricultural operations. The company processes waste that includes unsold produce, processing offcuts and produce unsuitable for human consumption, turning it into protein and nutrients that can be used in livestock feed and soil enrichment. By applying biological systems that mimic natural nutrient cycles, GoTerra provides an alternative to conventional waste disposal that often involves emissions and lost value.

Insects as Natural Recyclers

GoTerra’s process begins by introducing black soldier fly larvae to organic waste feedstocks that would otherwise decompose in landfills or compost piles. These larvae grow rapidly while consuming organic material, converting it into insect biomass that is rich in protein and fat. The harvested larvae can then be processed into ingredients for animal feeds, particularly for poultry, aquaculture and pets, where sustainable protein sources are in high demand. This use of larvae protein offers an alternative to fish meal and soy meal that are often associated with environmental concerns such as overfishing and land use change.

The residual material left over once the larvae have consumed waste is known as frass, a granular product that contains nutrients beneficial to soil. Farmers can apply frass as a fertiliser that supports plant growth and soil health, returning nutrients to the ground rather than adding chemical fertilisers. This material also supports beneficial soil organisms that help improve structure and nutrient cycling. In this way, waste that once contributed to methane emissions and disposal costs becomes a valuable input for agricultural production.

GoTerra operates facilities where organic waste is processed daily and larvae are raised in controlled conditions that optimise feeding and growth. By monitoring temperature, humidity and feed quality, operators ensure the larvae convert waste efficiently and safely. The company works with partners to manage the logistics of waste collection, processing and product delivery so that the system functions as a working cycle rather than a one-off service.

Benefits for Agriculture and Food Systems

Organic waste is a persistent challenge for food producers, grocery retailers and processing facilities because disposal costs and environmental costs can be significant. Landfill disposal contributes to greenhouse gas emissions as waste breaks down, and traditional composting can be slow and inconsistent, depending on conditions. GoTerra’s model offers a way to divert this waste into a biological system that extracts value rather than leaving valuable nutrients to decay.

Protein production from insect larvae has drawn interest from agriculture because it offers a lower-footprint source of nutrition for livestock and aquaculture feed. Rather than relying on imported feed ingredients, producers can source protein inputs made from local waste streams. This can reduce transportation emissions and costs while providing a source of high-quality protein that meets animal nutritional needs.

Fertiliser derived from frass supports regenerative farming practices because it helps improve soil condition while supplying nutrients that crops require. By returning organic material to fields, farmers may reduce dependence on synthetic fertilisers and encourage healthier soil biology. Healthier soil can support better water retention, reduced erosion and more robust plant development, contributing to overall farm productivity.

Partnerships and Network Growth

GoTerra works with a range of partners including food producers, agricultural operations and waste generators to scale its organic recycling systems. These collaborations involve agreements for waste collection, processing schedules and the return of products such as larvae protein and frass to partner sites. By integrating into existing supply chains, the company ensures that waste flows are converted into useful materials rather than costing producers for disposal.

Partnerships also extend to research institutions and agricultural service providers who help measure outcomes and provide guidance on product use. By engaging with researchers, GoTerra can validate the nutritional quality of larvae proteins and the agronomic benefits of frass, which supports broader adoption by farmers and feed producers. Sharing data and findings with partners helps refine practices and demonstrate real benefits on farms and in production settings.

The company has built networked facilities that operate at regional scales so that nearby waste can be processed locally rather than shipped long distances. Local processing reduces carbon emissions associated with transport and strengthens regional circular systems where waste is reused within the same community or economic area. This regional model also supports job opportunities and service relationships that benefit local economies.

Environmental and Economic Implications

Organic waste disposal carries economic costs for businesses and environmental costs for communities because landfill charges, methane emissions and lost nutrients can add up quickly. GoTerra’s systems reduce these burdens by diverting organic material into a biological process that creates marketable products. Rather than paying for disposal, partners receive outputs that can replace purchased protein or soil products, which alters the economic balance of waste management.

By repurposing organic waste into valuable inputs for food systems, the company illustrates a model where nature’s recyclers are harnessed to close nutrient loops. Black soldier fly larvae replicate the role of scavengers in nature, consuming waste and turning it into biomass that can re-enter food and agricultural cycles. This feedback loop reduces waste volumes and creates products useful to farmers, feed producers and gardeners.

In regions where food waste is abundant, implementing systems that process that material locally can contribute to sustainable food systems that are less dependent on imported inputs. Local producers may find that the availability of insect protein and nutrient-rich fertilisers gives them alternatives that support resource efficiency and farm productivity. This local focus can also help communities meet broader sustainability goals related to waste reduction, emissions mitigation and responsible resource use.

Expanded use of biological recycling systems may inspire other innovations in organic waste management, from compost enhancements to integrated farm systems that link livestock, crops and waste streams in mutually beneficial ways. By showing that waste can become a source of nutrition rather than a disposal problem, GoTerra’s model encourages a rethinking of how organic residues are valued.

Olympia Yarger, Founder & CEO, GoTerra