Compost Companion
Some methods already exist for those at home to naturally dispose of their food waste - composting
This is already quite common to people living in rural areas where acreage allows for farms and gardens. What about those in the cities?
Every year NYC’s Department of Security collects over 3 million tons of waste, with a third being food scraps. Despite this there has been little effort to compost or recycle. The City’s majors and other council members continuously cut down on budgets for better garbage disposal. Certain programs like implementing curbside garbage cans specifically for compost and compost pick up, were never able to receive proper funding to function.
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?
Food waste and starvation are constantly increasing throughout the world.
Around 2.5 billion tons of food are wasted every year throughout the world. America specifically wastes around 130 billion pounds of it.
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.
Ideation
How can we encourage groups of 2-4 living in the city to compost in their own home?
wall to ceiling growth tower
slant allows better ratio of sunlight access to dirt
compost "tea" slides down into spigot
desk attachment
roots access nutrients from decomposing food waste through slots in divider
table top composter
scraps from cutting board can be extra nutrients for plants
desk and composter
Prototyping
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
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Research and Testing
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Introducing
Vertical openings allow maximum plant growth in a smaller vertical space
Plant Pot
Mesh slots into
Mesh Holder
Allows more food scarps to decompose in the planter without releasing smells
Compost Holder
Prevents release of unwanted smells from compost holder
Air-tight Lid
Mesh slots in allowing fully decomposed compost to filter through while keeping larger food waste scraps inside
Compost Filter
Drawer with ergonomic handle allows filtered compost to be collected and used