This study evaluates the environmental performance of a circular economy model in shrimp aquaculture, where seafood processing waste is converted into Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae and reused as a sustainable feed ingredient. The system establishes a closed nutrient loop in which harvested shrimp are processed for human consumption, and the resulting by-products are valorized as substrates for BSF rearing. The larvae are then dried, milled, and incorporated into shrimp feed, replacing fish meal and soybean meal to enable continuous resource recovery and minimize waste across the aquaculture value chain (Figure 1).
A life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted for one kilogram of shrimp feed under five substitution scenarios, from 0% BSF + grid electricity (control) to 100% BSF + 100% solar energy. Fish meal and soybean meal were progressively replaced by BSF meal, while grid electricity (0.10 kWh/kg) was gradually substituted by solar power to examine combined feed and energy transition impacts.
Increasing BSF inclusion and solar energy use significantly improved environmental performance. The Global Warming Potential (GWP₁₀₀) declined from 2.92 kg CO₂ eq in the control to 2.01 kg CO₂ eq (−31%) at 50% substitution and 1.11 kg CO₂ eq (−62%) under full replacement. Fossil fuel depletion decreased from 14.7 MJ to 11.5 MJ (−22%), while acidification and eutrophication potentials fell by 25% and 23%, respectively. Freshwater ecotoxicity and photochemical oxidation were reduced by 24% and 41%, respectively, although a minor rise in marine ecotoxicity occurred due to seafood waste valorization.
The baseline impacts were primarily driven by soybean cultivation, fishmeal production, and coal-based electricity generation. The 50% BSF + 50% solar scenario provided the optimal balance between environmental benefit and feed quality. This closed-loop model effectively demonstrates circular economy and renewable energy integration in shrimp aquaculture, lowering carbon emissions, conserving resources, and enhancing sustainability.
The major factors that impact the baseline, the need for effective replacement of traditional feed ingredients, which would lead to more energy efficient, environment friendly and sustainable solutions, are discussed.