Based in the Williamsport area, Full Circle uses black soldier fly larvae to consume food waste, producing both a nutrient-rich soil amendment and a sustainable protein source for animal and aquaculture feed.
For the Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center, Full Circle represents a successful example of recycling-market development in action.
RMC became involved while the company was still navigating Pennsylvania's regulatory process and working to establish its business model.
That effort came full circle, with Full Circle Bioconversion processing food waste generated at the Major League Baseball (MLB) Little League Classic® that was played in Williamsport at historic Bowman Field during the Little League Baseball World Series®.
This year’s game featured the Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday, August 24.
Creating a New Market for Food Waste
RMC's mission extends beyond encouraging recycling. Its role is to help develop markets and infrastructure that make recycling economically viable.
In Full Circle's case, that meant helping an emerging company overcome regulatory barriers and move from an innovative concept to a permitted operating business.
Working with Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection, RMC provided support and recommendations that helped establish a pathway for Full Circle's unique approach to food waste processing, a process completely new to Pennsylvania.
That support was critical. Without regulatory approval, there is no business. Without a business, there is no market for the material.
Turning Waste into Resources
Full Circle's process differs from traditional food waste composting. Food waste is prepared and fed to black soldier fly larvae, which rapidly consume the material and convert it into biomass.
The larvae become a valuable protein source for livestock and aquaculture feed, while the remaining material, known as frass, can be used as a beneficial soil additive.
Instead of paying for disposal, generators of food waste have an opportunity to support a process that creates valuable end products.
The approach demonstrates how innovative technologies can turn a disposal challenge into an economic opportunity.
Pioneer Aubrey Fornwalt, Founder, Owner, President of Full Circle Bioconversion offers, “One of the core tenets of this operation is keeping our food in our food system. It isn’t waste — the act of throwing it away is wasteful. With this approach to waste diversion, we are feeding our future selves.”
From Concept to Major League Baseball
The impact of Full Circle's work is now visible at one of Pennsylvania's most recognized events.
Each year, the Little League World Series® brings hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Williamsport area.
Along with the excitement of the tournament comes a significant amount of food waste.
Through partnerships with the Major League Baseball (MLB) Little League Classic® held during the Little League World Series®, that material is now being collected and processed in northcentral Pennsylvania by Full Circle Bioconversion.
Food that might otherwise be discarded is transformed into useful products, creating a highly visible example of a circular economy in action.
Economic Development Through Recycling
For RMC, the success of Full Circle Bioconversion illustrates what recycling-market development looks like.
What began as an innovative idea facing regulatory hurdles has grown into an operating Pennsylvania business creating value from a material that historically had little market potential.
The benefits extend beyond waste diversion. They include business growth, job creation, new processing capacity, and expanded markets for recycled and biological products.
Full Circle Bioconversion has joined the $130.5 billion dollar Pennsylvania recycling economy with force.
"Seeing Full Circle Bioconversion transition from an emerging concept to navigating state regulations to diverting food waste from a Major League baseball game shows what circular economy infrastructure can achieve in a new materials market,” said Robert J. Bylone, Jr., CEO, President, Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center.
And the company's progression is a reminder of why recycling-market development matters.
The work does not always begin with a large facility or an established commodity market. Sometimes it begins with an entrepreneur who has a different idea about what can be done with a material.
Full Circle's success also highlights the importance of supporting entrepreneurs developing new solutions to longstanding waste challenges.
RMC helped the company move through that challenge, as Wayne Bowen, Senior Recycling Program Manager and Team Lead for Organics Management, led Full Circle Bioconversion through the RMC’s Organics Compass Program.
Looking Ahead
The company's name captures its mission well. Food begins as a resource, and with the right systems in place, it can become a resource again rather than a waste product.
Although this is likely Full Circle Bioconversion’s highest-profile project to date, it also demonstrates a larger opportunity.
By creating markets for food waste, Pennsylvania can support innovation, strengthen local businesses, and advance a more sustainable economy.
Let’s Play Ball !
Visit the Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center website. RMC’s mission is to expand and develop more secure and robust markets for recovered (recycled) materials by helping to overcome market barriers and inefficiencies.
RMC is a leader in developing and expanding recycling markets in Pennsylvania.
In a competitive global marketplace, the RMC is the keystone clearinghouse of environmental, economic development, and manufacturing resources for end use support of recycled commodities and products.
Related Articles This Week:
-- PennDOT, Keep PA Beautiful Announce 30 Young Ambassadors To Promote Environmental Sustainability In Pennsylvania [PaEN]
-- Independence Conservancy To Hold Waste Tire Collection Events In Allegheny, Beaver Counties [Starting Sept. 18] [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- PennLive Letters: PA’s Electronics Waste Crisis Deserves The Same Urgency As Data Center Reform - By Edward Heyman, Philadelphia
[Posted: September 1, 2026] PA Environment Digest
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