2.5 billion tons of food are wasted every year throughout the world.
America specifically wastes around 130 billion pounds of it.

compost companion

Some methods already exist for those at home to naturally dispose of their food waste - composting. This a common practice for people living in rural areas where acreage allows farms and gardens - but what about those in cities?

Every year NYC’s Department of Security collects over 3 million tons of waste, with a third being food scraps. Yet there has been little effort to compost or recycle. With constant budget cuts certain programs like curbside compost pickup, will never come to fruition.

Without help from the local government, city dwellers will need to take on the task of composting in their own homes. But how can they do that with no back garden or yard to dispose of their smelly old food?

Much of this waste comes from issues with production, supply chains, and faulty equipment. From farms to grocery stores food can be damaged in transport, eaten by bugs, or spoil among other things. A large percentage of perfectly edible food is often disposed of by establishments due to appearance, “sell by” dates, or lack of storage.

We as individuals can still help.

the basics of composting

there are a few types and methods of composting:

aerobic composting - microorganisms in soil
vermicomposting - worms eat food waste and help aerate the mixture
bokashi - uses an inoculant to ferment food scraps without oxygen, also allows for decomposition of dairy and meat products
hot composting - heat can speed up decomposition immensely
cold composting - takes the longest but with the least maintenance

ideation

How can we encourage groups of 2-4 living in the city to compost in their own home?

prototyping

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Indentation around frame allows wire to be laid and glued against it rather than inserting through the middle

slot allows mesh filter for compost to be easily inserted and cleaned

Deeper incline is less likely to let excess dirt fall out

Research and Testing

To find the most efficient method of storing compost while still allowing plant access, custom plant pots were made. I cut solo cups in half and attached cheese cloth to 2 and lint trap wire to another 2. The sides were then reattached with one half being filled with compost and the other filled with dirt and basil seeds.

Holes were indented on the sides of some cups to see the possibly of vertical plant growth. I was very doubtful of this possibility but as the weeks passed they began to sprout.

introducing

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Allows more food scarps to decompose in the planter without releasing smells

Compost Holder

Vertical openings allow maximum plant growth in a smaller urban friendly space

Plant Pot

Mesh is glued against the lip indent creating a barrier between plants and food waste while still allowing plant roots to slide through to receive excess nutrients

Mesh Holder

Prevents release of unwanted smells from compost holder

Air-tight Lid

Compost Filter

More mesh slides in above compost collection drawer allowing fully decomposed compost to filter through while keeping larger food waste scraps inside

Drawer with ergonomic handle allows filtered compost to be collected and used

2.5 billion tons of food are wasted every year throughout the world. America specifically wastes around 130 billion pounds of it.