Invention by Turkish teenagers turns leftovers into pet food

By Havva Dereagzi

KONYA, Türkiye (AA) - Enterprising high school students in central Türkiye have invented a machine that turns leftover food into food for cats and dogs.

The students at a technical high school in Konya developed a scheme to reduce the waste from leftover food at school cafeterias, public institutions, hotels, and restaurants and turns them into food for cats and dogs.

Tayyip Sari, the school principal, told Anadolu that the high school places great importance on the principle of zero waste.

Sari said they did research on how to use all types of waste food, and that the school’s machinery, metal, and automation departments worked together in the process of converting leftover food into pet food.

"We did several experiments. We tested several different methods for storing the food organically for a long time and selecting which mixes our animal companions would enjoy. We recently had success and created a prototype," he said.

Sari stated that they have spread the results of their work nationwide with the help of National Education Minister Mahmut Ozer, sending supplies to about one-fourth of Türkiye’s 81 provinces so far.

"We are thrilled and proud to be a part of a project that will delight our animal companions while also making our animal lovers, us, and everyone happy," he said.

The process of reclaiming the food uses four machines. The first is a crusher, where food materials such as bread and bones are cut into small pieces, followed by the fermentation process in a second machine. The size of the food is adjusted in a third, and finally if it is not consumed as wet food, it is oven dried.

Ismail Samet Erdemir, a 10th grade student in the Automation Department, said: "We’re helping out our animal friends. The Automation Department designed the electrical installations and panels of the machines. My friends and I are very happy to take part in the project."

Burak Doner, a student of the same class, said he has a dog and added, "Recycling waste is very important these days, when our resources are limited. With this project, we both use our household waste and help out our animal friends."