Local Food Waste Recycling Solutions for Addressing the Sustainable Development Goals

1.1 Local food waste recycling solutions

The cost of introducing food waste recycling exceeds that of disposing of food residue as waste, and this has been a major factor preventing the spread of food waste recycling. To address this issue, the equipment for fermentation and decomposition of food residue provided by our local food waste recycling solutions uses microorganisms, which effectively decompose food residue such as vegetables. It can decompose and reduce the input food residue into a primary fermentation product that is five- to ten-times smaller in volume in a short time; consequently, it makes collection and transportation more efficient, thus reducing costs. We also provide a series of our solutions as a monthly service (including equipment rental to customers); therefore, an initial investment for introducing food waste recycling is not required on the customer’s side, and their monthly food-residue processing costs are significantly reduced (Figs. 1 and 2).

Fig. 1. Overview of our local food waste recycling solutions.

Fig. 2. The process of each solution.

Our local food waste recycling solutions will be provided by NTT FIELDTECHNO, which provides on-site telecommunication maintenance services throughout Japan. In addition to renting and installing the equipment for food-residue fermentation and decomposition to customers, the company offers a variety of services, including regular maintenance (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3. Service-provision system.

When introducing these solutions, we want to ensure that customers can enjoy the cost benefits; accordingly, we will (i) provide consulting before introducing the solution and, if necessary, (ii) carry out tests on decomposition/fermentation of food residue and odors as well as trials using actual equipment. Cost simulations and tests on food-residue decomposition are provided free of charge, so customers can implement these solutions without any initial investment and reduce their monthly food-residue disposal costs. A trial (lasting about three months) using actual equipment is available for a fee.

1.2 Information and communication technology (ICT)-based food waste recycling

(1) Converting abandoned farmland into fields and improving fertility of farmland

In Japan’s agricultural industry, the expansion of abandoned farmland, which has doubled in area in the past 20 years, is a problem. The main cause is the aging of farmers. However, it is also due to the deterioration of soil caused by the use of chemical fertilizers, which makes it difficult to grow crops, making farming less profitable. The abandoned farmland significantly affects neighboring farmers through growth of weeds and encroachment by pests such as insects.

To solve this problem of abandoned farmland, together with the Compost and Soil Research Institute, we are working on using recycled organic compost—made by adding locally available organic materials (e.g., cow and chicken manure, rice husks, and rice bran) to food residue generated from our local food waste recycling solutions—and digitizing our knowledge (temperature, humidity, pH adjustment, etc.) concerning such compost. NTT FIELDTECHNO has developed a system for collecting data on the extremely difficult process of manufacturing high-quality organic compost. The system uses Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and other technologies to create stable, high-quality compost and potting soil on the basis of the collected data. Therefore, it supports soil preparation, which is the foundation of agriculture (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4. Using data to manage the maturation of organic compost.

We are currently conducting a joint demonstration with a large-scale agricultural corporation in Okayama Prefecture regarding a project called “Restoring Abandoned Farmland and Fertilizing Farmland” by using high-quality organic compost. We are demonstrating and comparing methods of fertilizing soil in a short period at low cost at a leaf vegetable field by capturing aerial images with drones and collecting data on the physics, chemistry, microbial properties, etc. of soil with IoT sensors.

(2) Organic-farming support project

Our local food waste recycling solutions will also tackle other issues facing the agricultural industry to create a “food-recycling loop.” For example, agriculture relies on intuition and experience, and expertise is passed down through experience and transfer. With the ongoing aging of farmers and the increase in the number of farmers abandoning their farmlands, the loss of this expertise has become an urgent issue.

By using ICT, such as sensing and telecommunications that NTT WEST and its group companies (NTT WEST Group, hereafter) possess, we will promote not only composting and soil improvement but also digitalization of farming expertise to support organic farming. We are in the process of digitizing all processes of organic farming, such as selecting varieties, raising seedlings, planting, irrigation, and evaluation of nutritional value of crops, for multiple organic farmers who are growing cherry tomatoes and leaf vegetables. Through these efforts, we are verifying improved profitability through labor saving and automation.