Overview

Our project contributes to multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including main aspects in education and sustainable waste management. Through diverse differentiated outreach programs, we advanced SDG 4 (Quality Education) by providing accessible programs for people of different ages and backgrounds. Moreover, since our YebF protein improved the efficiency and affordability of the BSFL cycle, we supported its role in contributing to SDGs 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 15.

Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) – Quality Education

According to the UN, SDG 4 aimed to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Our education initiatives align with the goal as we prepare programs based on specific circumstances, teaching people from diverse age groups and backgrounds. For example, as mentioned in our Education section, we taught ages ranging from 6 to 100, with 7 local and 2 international education programs, aiming to promote topics such as synthetic biology, food waste issues, and black soldier fly to the public. Through our continuous effort, we contributed to SDG 4 by "ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all" (The Global Goals, 2025). Specifically, we tailored our program based on the targeted age groups:

• Elementary Schools: Board game with short, interactive presentations + Scratch for a short animation + Interactive lessons and challenges.
• Junior & Senior High Schools: More detailed lectures + Q&A segments + Hands-on workshops.
• Retirement Homes: Large-font visuals + Storytelling and oral activities.
• Sri Lanka Abroad Program: Visual explanatory cards and pictures + Simple English.
• Vietnam Program: Visual explanatory cards and pictures + Supplied local underprivileged people.

BSFL Circular Bio-Conversion Process and SDG Contributions

The diagram shows the black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) circular bio-conversion process, where organic waste like food scraps, manures, and poultry feeds are turned into outputs and byproducts like insect meal, oil, chitin (pupae), and organic fertilizer (frass). This process directly supports 8 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). First, the cycle contributes to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) since its output can create food for fishmeal and soy used in livestock and aquaculture feed, while SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) is addressed as the cycle helps reduce pathogen load and disease risk through proper waste treatments. As we divert organic waste away from sewage systems and water bodies, the process supports SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). Furthermore, insect farming used in the BSFL cycle corroborates SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by forming new jobs and business opportunities, and it also incorporates SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) as a biotechnological solution to waste management. As a circular economy model, the BSFL system also advances SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and alleviates methane emissions from landfills for SDG 13 (Climate Action). Last but not least, the output, frass, is a natural fertilizer that restores soil organic matter, addressing SDG 15 (Life on Land), and also achieves a circular flow. Building on this, our project further strengthens the BSFL cycle. We utilized cost-effective enzyme secretion and purification through YebF proteins, which makes the BSFL process way more efficient, affordable, and scalable. Thus, through strengthening a crucial component within the current BSFL flow, our project indirectly contributes to SDGs 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 15.