Indoor composting made easy

Do a web search for indoor composting, and you’ll find plenty of useful step-by-step guides that explain how to build your own indoor composting system, complete with a friendly menagerie of worms. The systems are clean and produce great mulch, but not every consumer wants to deal with worms, let alone have them munching away in their kitchen. San Francisco-based NatureMill came up with a solution: an indoor composter that doesn’t use worms, doesn’t attract flies and isn’t smelly. The units are small enough to fit in regular kitchen cabinets, can process up to 120 lbs (55 kg) of organic waste per month, and use just 10 watts of energy. Composting takes place inside a sealed inner chamber. Air is drawn into the chamber by a small fan, and a mixbar and heater keep the process moving along at the correct temperature. A red light indicates when the cure tray needs to be emptied—about once every two weeks—and the end-product is rich compost fertilizer. The units sell for USD 299–399. An outdoor version (USD 399) takes care of pet droppings, too: “for up to 2 large dogs, or 4 cats, rabbits, hamsters, snakes or other small animals.” NatureMills ships worldwide, but international shipping is costly. The company is building a global network of dealers. Time to contact them if you import or sell eco/household/kitchen products. While homemade, non-electrical versions bag their users more brownie—er, greenie—points, NatureMill’s solution still trumps the alternative of not composting at all. Like the household recycling plant we featured last year, NatureMill takes a green concept and makes it easy for households to incorporate into their daily routine. More to follow, please! (Related: Full-service home composting.) Spotted by: Jill Fraser Crowley