Flying High On Sustainability

From studying mechanical engineering to pioneering sustainable solutions using black soldier flies, Entomal's Yanni Ching Xin Yan is determined to solve Malaysia's food waste problem for a greener future

- Jinn Xiung Chong

In Southeast Asia, food waste has become a serious problem, with nearly 50 million metric tonnes of food discarded yearly. The environmental impact is significant, as decomposing food in landfills releases methane gas, contributing to climate change.

Yanni Ching Xin Yan, a Malaysian entrepreneur, aims to tackle this issue using an unlikely ally: the black soldier fly. Along with her co-founders, Thomas Pui and Vic Pui, Ching leads Entomal, a company focusing on biowaste treatment and organic by-product upcycling.

Entomal has developed a solution for food waste management, dubbed the Entomal Mobile Bioconversion System, which uses black soldier fly larvae to convert food waste into valuable products. The company has partnered with various organisations, including Taylor’s University and Impact Circle, to promote sustainable waste management practices and reduce waste in the Klang Valley.

Here are four interesting facts about the young entrepreneur tackling Malaysia’s food waste problem.

INSPIRED BY AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH