Composting System
Key Characteristics
- ✓Converts organic waste into nutrient-rich soil amendments
- ✓Reduces landfill contributions by 30 to 50 percent
- ✓Eliminates methane production from anaerobic landfill decomposition
- ✓Available in countertop, under-counter, and outdoor configurations
- ✓Modern systems feature odor control and pest prevention
- ✓Integrates into kitchen design for convenient daily use
Types & Variations
Common Materials
Works Well With These Styles
Placement & Usage Tips
Position the primary compost collection point within arm's reach of the main food preparation area, ideally integrated into the cabinetry near the cutting board and sink. Under-counter pull-out compost bins work best adjacent to or opposite the primary trash and recycling station, establishing a complete waste sorting workflow. For outdoor systems, place them in a convenient but unobtrusive location accessible from the kitchen.
💡 Pro Tip
The biggest barrier to consistent composting is inconvenience. If the collection bin is not within easy reach during food preparation, people quickly revert to using the trash can. Design the compost station as a first-class element of the kitchen workflow, with the same accessibility as the trash and recycling bins. A simple countertop crock with a charcoal filter next to the cutting board, emptied weekly into an outdoor system, is more effective than an elaborate setup that requires extra steps. Make composting the path of least resistance and it becomes automatic.
Related Terms
Green Building
The practice of designing, constructing, and operating buildings to minimize environmental impact and maximize resource efficiency throughout the building's lifecycle.
Rainwater Harvesting
The collection and storage of rainwater from rooftops or other surfaces for later use in irrigation, toilet flushing, laundry, and other non-potable applications.
Net-Zero Home
A residential building designed to produce as much energy as it consumes over the course of a year through a combination of extreme energy efficiency and on-site renewable energy generation.