Sprout

Compost and grow in one

The Challenge:

Create a single user energy-efficient composter that supports a more sustainable circular composting system.

Project Overview:

This composter addresses the critical issue of food waste in the United States, which accounts for 24.1% of landfill content in the U.S., with each individual generating approximately 350 pounds annually. Designed specifically for single-person households in compact living spaces, this composter integrates attachable planters along its exterior, providing a convenient solution for compost use. By turning food waste into a resource for growing herbs or small plants, it allows users to seamlessly cycle organic material back into their living environments, reinforcing the impact of individual actions in reducing waste.

The Outcome:

A compact at home composter for one.

Type:

Industrial Design

3D Visualization

Date:

2024

A single person on average generates about 5 pounds of compostable food waste weekly. Effective management of aeration, temperature, and moisture can expedite composting, however, many compact composters on the market consume excessive energy, undermining their environmental benefits. Additionally, urban residents face challenges in effectively utilizing the compost they create.

An energy-efficient composter, designed for individual use, could provide a sustainable solution for a circular composting system.

Composting 101

Proper aeration, moisture levels, temperature, and balanced food waste are key factors in accelerating the composting process. Regularly turning the compost ensures adequate oxygen flow, while maintaining the right moisture and temperature helps break down organic material quickly, allowing the compost to decompose rapidly into nutrient-rich humus. Balancing carbon-rich and nitrogen-rich materials further optimizes the process, creating the ideal environment for faster decomposition.

Concept Development

The Concept

This composter is designed to sit on your countertop, making it easy to add food waste. After sealing, it shreds the scraps and uses temperature control and aeration to speed up the composting process, turning them into nutrient-rich compost in about a week. The compost can be used in attached planters for herbs, with any excess donated to local gardens, helping to support community sustainability.

How does it work?

Once the countertop composter’s container is full, it’s sealed and locked before being placed back into the main unit. The battery powers a blending and chopping cycle to break down the food scraps into smaller pieces and heats the container to the ideal composting temperature. Insulation helps retain the heat, speeding up the process and minimizing energy use.

The blade shreds and aerates the food waste, with manual turning for additional aeration as needed.

The composter is insulated and heats to the optimal temperature, maintaining it to accelerate the composting process.

The compost can be placed in the magnetically attached planters to grow plants, while the remainder can be used in gardens or donated to local plant nurseries.

The removable countertop container collects food waste and is placed in the composter when full for processing.

The compost is aerated by pulling down and turning the handle, which moves and mixes the compost to allow air to circulate.

The Details

When the indicator light signals, aeration is needed. A bottom twist wheel can be pulled down and manually rotated to turn the internal blades. This action aerates the compost, ensuring oxygen reaches the materials to support effective decomposition.

Collection Bin

The interior compartment is removed and placed on the counter to collect a week's worth of food waste, then reinserted into the composter for processing.