Seven Types Of Residential And Industrial Food Recycling

Food waste recycling (also known as composting) is a method of purposeful biodegradation of natural and organic material, resulting in compost – the remaining material from vegetation and animals that have been decomposed. Compost has been used for thousands of years as an organic fertilizer or enrichment for soil.

There are two main categories of food waste recycling solutions: residential composting & industrial composting.

Residential composting methods are typically restricted to discarded food and lawn trimmings. Forms of consumer-driven composting include:

Vermicompost: This style of composting involves the use of worms and other bugs to produce a mixture of biodegraded food waste and worm castings. Worm castings or worm poop are the byproduct of the breakdown of organic matter by worms; the castings are nutrient rich and they act as a natural fertilizer.

Bokashi: This method of accelerated composting involves the fermentation of discarded food using a bran inoculated with specific micro-organisms. The microbes break down the food and after it’s completely fermented, the food scraps may be buried in a garden where it will complete the biodegradation process and will enrich the soil.

Open Pile Composting: This method of organic waste recycling calls for an open pile (or heap) of organic matter which is turned over to make sure that the appropriate amount of heat, moisture, and oxygen content in the pile is maintained. The appropriate balance of wet and dry materials should also be achieved to make sure that the compost pile will not let off an odor. This type of composting is generally limited to vegetables, as meats and meat products will often attract vermin.

Industrial composting environments can accept discarded food, yard clippings, animal manure, food packaging supplies, and most organic materials. Types of industrial composting include:

Windrow: Windrow composting is a method of creating compost by shaping organic matter into long rows or arc-like piles. These rows are then turned by large machines to preserve even levels of temperature, moisture, and oxygen. Rows will typically range from 4-8 feet in height and fourteen to sixteen feet long.

Aerated Static Pile (ASP) Composting: ASP composting consists of the construction of compost heaps which have air pulled through them. Piles are not turned over and may be open or closed. Closed piles are enclosed by large plastic bags. Aerated static piles are generally used by composting facilities processing substantial amounts of wet organic waste.

In-vessel Organic Recycling: In vessel organic recycling creates compost through the use of closed “reactors” that carefully monitor temperature and oxygen content levels during the biodegradation process. Production of compost happens rapidly, taking just a few weeks, but organics can need curing for weeks after. In-vessel composting requires larger cash outlays than Windrow or Aerated Static Pile, but demands less land and labour.

Anaerobic Digestion: Anaerobic digesters break down organic matter without oxygen. Carbon dioxide and methane are emitted at a roughly 1:1 level and the methane is captured and used as a power source. Once gas generation is complete, the organic matter is aerobically cured and may be used as compost. The costs however for anaerobic digesters are considerably more than aerobic composting solutions.

Learn more about composting solutions, compostable legislation, and programs that drive the use of biodegradable cups & bowls.

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