Odor-free composting for the kitchen
Egg shells, cucumber peels, fajita leftovers–they often don’t find their way into the recycling can because of the messiness and stink factor (if people even own a compost bin). In fact, food waste is the No. 1 least recycled material in the United States, according to the Environmental Protection Agency; and yet it and paper goods comprise the bulk of landfills. That waste, which can’t breakdown naturally for lack of oxygen in the landfill, adds to our global warming headaches because it produces more carbon than necessary.
San Francisco-based NatureMill wants to rectify this problem by bringing composting to the masses. In recent weeks, it introduced a line of automatic home compost bins that take some of the ickyness and inconvenience out of turning food into fertilizer.
The NatureMill Plus, which costs $299, is a computerized compost bin that regulates the temperature, moisture and air flow inside its carbon-filter encasement so that the typical odors associated with rotting food are scant. Instead, the bin produces aromas of mushrooms or sourdough bread. People can load the automatic bin with up to 120 pounds of food waste a month–and the bin releases oxygen that destroys pathogens and odors. The compost, or fertilized soil, is typically ready to deposit into the garden or yard within two weeks.
The bin is small enough to fit under a kitchen-sink cabinet or be tucked away in the garage. And it consumes just 5 kwh per month of energy, less than a typical nightlight, for an average of an extra 50 cents on the monthly utility bill.
For $100 more, the NatureMill Pro lets people get even more removed from composting. The Pro has a foot pedal for hands-free operation, vacation mode settings and bright designer colors. It’s stink-free and chic, and will go on sale March 18.
NatureMill founder and president Russ Cohn said that his hope is to bring composting to more people by making it relatively affordable and convenient. “Our modern throw-away society has finally evolved to a point where we can all recycle every bit of waste.”