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    Design and trial of a comprehensive home composting evaluation tool
    (OICCC Press, Witney, United Kingdom, 2025-06-01) Mensah S; Hannon J; Hytten KF
    Purpose: In this study, a comprehensive home composting evaluation tool (HCET) was designed and trialled to support the analysis of empirical and quality assurance parameters of home composting systems. Method: The proposed HCET was developed based on a review of relevant scientific literature, a range of ‘how to’/‘good practice’ guidelines for home composting, and guiding principles from the New Zealand Compost Standard. It was then trialled within a research project examining home composting practices in Palmerston North, Aotearoa New Zealand. Results: This research showed that whilst home composting is widely undertaken in Palmerston North and diverts a significant amount of organic waste from landfill, home composters often encounter technical challenges and have variable results. Critical reflection on the practical experience of trialling the draft HCET in the context of the broader findings from the research project enabled the HCET to be refined and finalised. Conclusion: A growing body of literature demonstrates that home composting is a popular and cost-effective opportunity to divert municipal organic waste from landfill, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance local soils and home gardening. As such, effective and systematic evaluation of the various home composting technologies, practices and outputs is a critical opportunity to accelerate the development of a more sustainable, low emission circular bioeconomy. The proposed HCET provides a quick, accurate and effective way to undertake data collection and system analysis, which will support future research further developing and optimising home composting technologies and practices.
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    Optimization of the rearing environment for the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), a promising agent for organic waste bioconversion : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2022) Liu, Zhongyi
    Bioconversion is an environmentally, socially and economically sound measure for organic waste management. The black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera Stratiomyidae), is one of the promising species for organic waste bioconversion. Larvae of BSF (BSFL) can feed on multiple types of organic waste, and the harvested larvae could be processed into valuable products such as animal feed, chitin, and organic fertilizer. To maximize the efficiency of a bioconversion system using BSFL, it is necessary to optimize the rearing environment of the insects, which requires knowledge of the impact of environmental factors on BSF at different life stages. This thesis reports my investigations on (1) the effect of diet on selected BSF larval (BSFL) life history and physiological traits and bioconversion efficiency, (2) the effect of substrate type and moisture content on BSF pupation, and (3) the effect of artificial light type, light regime, and adult density on BSF reproduction. First of all, I tested three types of organic waste (brewer’s waste, pig manure, and semidigested grass) against a standard diet (broll; a mixture of wheat bran and wheat flour). Among the organic wastes tested, brewer’s waste led to the fastest larval growth and highest larval weight gain. However, protein conversion efficiency of BSFL fed on brewer’s waste was lower than the larvae fed on the standard diet, which may be due to the high protein content in brewer’s waste. A meta-analysis revealed that dietary lignocellulosic content has an adverse impact on BSFL weight gain. Second, I investigated the effects of two pupation substrates (vermiculite and wood chips) and nine moisture levels on BSF pupation rate and depth. Using moist pupation substrate could reduce prepupal water loss, improve prepupal survival rate, and move forward the onset of pupation. BSF prepupae were found to stay at shallower depth levels when moisture content exceeded 20% and 70% for vermiculite and wood chips, respectively, which may be due to reduced oxygen availability. Third, I assessed four types of artificial light for their suitability of supporting mating of BSF from two different colonies. The artificial light that matches the spectral sensitivity of photoreceptors of BSF adults led to the highest mating success. Interestingly, artificial light resembling summer sunlight failed to support BSF mating, which may be due to its flickering. Colony effect was also significant on BSF mating success. Moreover, I found an interaction between the light regime and adult density on mean individual female reproductive output and adult survival rate. To optimize the reproductive output of a BSF colony, 8 h of photoperiod would be sufficient for a low adult density (e.g., lower than 800 individuals∙m−3), whereas longer photoperiods may be needed for higher adult densities. Finally, I present the implications that can be drawn from my findings, and my recommendations for future research and the relevant industry.
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    Material development : adding value to wool waste through innovative design : an exegesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Design, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2015) Hutchinson, Hannah
    Classic Sheepskins have found themselves with a challenging problem faced by similar companies; how best to be utilizing waste material generated during their production process. This research project employs design and technology to add value to waste wool fibres retrieved through the manufacturing process of sheepskin tanning. It is supported through a Callaghan Innovation fellowship with Classic Sheepskins, a Napier based tannery. They have been in business for over 40 years and provide high-quality natural New Zealand products and custom tanning. The focus of this research is to find innovative solutions for the wool waste, through material-responsive and industry- centered design methodologies and experimentation,. A critical position has been developed within sustainability, with concepts of traceability and authenticity also being examined. Consultation with Classic Sheepskins, and on-going evaluation of material properties and aesthetics in regards to potential applications, has determined the direction of products and end-outcomes.
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    Investigating environmental and health risks of greywater use in New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Soil Science at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2014) Zaayman, Morkel Arejuan
    Many countries, including New Zealand, are investigating alternative water management practices to address increasing demands on freshwater supply. One such practice is the diversion and reuse of household greywater for irrigation. Greywater is a complex mixture containing contaminants such as microbes and household chemicals. These contaminants may present an environmental and public health risk, but this has never been characterised in a New Zealand context. This thesis aims to reduce this knowledge gap by characterising the fate and effects of a representative chemical contaminant, the antimicrobial triclosan (TCS); and the microbial indicator, E. coli, in three soils. It also investigated public attitude towards the fate of household products in the environment. In Chapter 4, microbial biomass was used to determine an EC50 for TCS in one soil type (silty clay loam: EC50 = 803 ppm). This determined the loading rate of TCS for the lysimeter study in Chapter 5, where triplicate cores of 3 soil types were irrigated with greywater treatments (good/bad quality) or a freshwater control. Leachate samples throughout the study and soil samples from three horizons at the end of three months irrigation were analysed for TCS and E. coli. The results indicate that regardless of soil type, E. coli and TCS leached from the lysimeters posing a risk for groundwater contamination. Escherichia coli levels in the leachate were as high as 4.71 x 106 CFU/100ml for the GQGW treatments (Lincoln soil) and 6.97 x 107CFU/100ml in the BQGW treatment (Gisborne soil). Triclosan concentrations between 0.03ppb and 3.17ppb were measured in the leachate from the GQGW treatment and 0.03ppb -42.3ppb for the 10ppm TCS treatments. Soils with high clay content had even larger potential for leaching through preferential flow as the average levels of E. coli found in the leachate from the BQGWD were at least on log10 lower than the average found in the BQGW leachate (Gisborne & Katikati). In contrast the levels of E. coli detected in the Lincoln soil were similar for both treatments. The effects of TCS on soil health parameters in the top horizon were also investigated, but were not found to be significant at concentrations used in this study. To address the source of greywater contamination, i.e. use of household products, I engaged with school children to investigate if awareness of household-contaminants will support behaviour change with respect to what products are used (Chapter 6). With my scientific guidance, the children successfully designed and implemented a greywater experiment and presented their results at a local hui. The results from this study provide New Zealand specific, scientifically-robust information on potential environmental and public health risks associated with domestic greywater reuse for soil irrigation.
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    Transforming waste : textile design process intervention : adding value to wool waste : an exegesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Design, Massey University, Wellington, [New Zealand]
    (Massey University, 2013) Ellis, Stacey
    A design shift has moved towards a more honest materialization of design thinking, which is process. To that end, I use a material responsive, iterative design led process to explore the underdeveloped potential of reclaimed industry fibre from Woolyarns Limited (Wingate), Summit Wool Spinners (Oamaru) and Radford Yarn Technologies Limited (Christchurch). Reclaimed fibre is of high quality but low value compared to the original virgin fibre. Typically a New Zealand wool spinning company will sell the reclaimed fibre at a cost price ($3/kg) to Auckland insulation manufacturers. In this research the potential of the fibre is explored using modern reinterpretations of traditional textile construction techniques and new non-woven and digital technologies. These processes have assisted to embrace the natural qualities of the fibre whilst adding value with the intention of producing innovative, high quality, high valued niche products as alternatives to the current ‘downcycled’ textiles produced in industry (insulation). To be completely sustainable is very difficult; but to eliminate and reduce waste to create value, minimize consumption and help prevent the premature disposal of this valuable natural resource offers another opportunity for design to support sustainable practice.