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There are two main types of composting methods – home composting and industrial composting. But what do each of these methods even mean?
This article will dig deep into the different types of composting methods, let’s explore:
Composting is nature’s version of recycling. It’s a natural process where organic matter (like food waste, yard trimmings and leaves) break down into a nutrient-rich fertiliser known as compost.
Composting works thanks to beneficial fungi, bacteria, insects, worms, and other organisms, which all work to decompose the waste.
Whether you have a small balcony or a large backyard, you can easily incorporate composting into your lifestyle and watch your soil, plants, and surrounding environment thrive.
Composting has so many benefits for your garden and the environment at large.
Through composting, you can:
There are a few reasons why it’s important to know the different types of composting methods.
Firstly, knowing the different types of home composting methods will help you choose the compost bin that best suits your space and lifestyle.
Secondly, it means it’ll be easier for you to dispose of compostable packaging and identify compost bins in public places.
While almost all organic waste can be composted at home, not all compostable packaging can be. Some packaging can easily be broken down in home composting systems, while others – like those that are made from bioplastic or have a bioplastic lining – require a commercial facility.
Everyone can compost. And there are very few (if any) reasons why you shouldn’t.
Regardless of whether you have a big backyard, a small courtyard or even a balcony in an apartment – home composting is doable. It can also reduce waste, save money and promote a sustainable lifestyle.
So, let’s dig into some of the different home composting methods – backyard composting, vermicomposting, bokashi composting, and Subpod composting – so you can decide which method is best for you.
To start a backyard compost, all you need is a compost bin or container, a mix of green and brown organic materials, water and air. ‘Green materials’ refers to organic matter like fruits and vegetable scraps, tea leaves, coffee grounds and grass. ‘Brown materials’ refers to organic matter like leaf litter, paper and twigs.
A compost bin or container is essential to hold the organic materials and keep them contained in one area. The green and brown organic materials provide the necessary carbon and nitrogen elements for the composting process. Then, by adding water to compost we boost the moisture and help microorganisms thrive and do their thing – break down organic materials. Lastly, good aeration is essential to support decomposition.
By keeping this balance of organic materials, water, and air, the composting process can transform your organic waste into a nutrient-rich fertiliser.
Vermicomposting uses worms to break down organic matter into a nutrient-rich fertiliser. In this type of home composting, the worms consume organic matter and excrete castings (which is like highly fertile worm manure).
Vermicomposting is a convenient way to compost food waste in small spaces, like apartments or homes with small outdoor spaces. Not only that, vermicomposting is typically quicker than backyard composting, as the worms speed up the process!
If you want to buy a vermicompost system, it can be purchased at most gardening and home improvement stores. Some local composting or gardening organisations may also sell vermicomposters or provide resources on how to build your own.
Unique and a little less common, bokashi composting uses anaerobic fermentation to break down organic matter. In a bokashi compost, food and organic waste are sealed in an airtight container and fermented with a mix of bacteria and yeast known as ‘bokashi bran’. Bokashi composting is ideal, easy and convenient for apartments and small spaces. You can also use it alongside traditional composting methods.
Bokashi compost produces a nutrient-rich liquid that can be used to fertilise plants, improve soil quality, and promote sustainable gardening practices.
So, where can you find bokashi bins? They can usually be found at gardening stores, eco-friendly home goods stores, and online retailers. There are also companies that specialise in bokashi composting systems, and some local composting or gardening organisations may sell bokashi bins or offer resources on how to make your own.
What’s more, some Australian councils and environmental organisations offer discounts or subsidies for the purchase of bokashi bins as a way to promote home composting! Check your local council’s website for more information.
A type of vermicompost, a Subpod is a revolutionary in-ground and self-fertilising composting system!
The way it works is simple. You bury the Subpod in your garden bed, fill it with food and garden waste, then worms and microbes get to work. Over time, the nutrients created will feed your soil and plants.
The Subpod is cleverly designed with sufficient airflow, so the system is easy to use and always kept smell-free.
Industrial composting is a large-scale composting process.
It typically involves carefully managed conditions, like temperature, moisture, aeration, and nutrient levels, to encourage the rapid breakdown of organic matter. Because of the controlled settings, industrial compost facilities can reach a consistently high temperature which enables some materials to break down that wouldn’t in a home compost (for example, bioplastics). The resulting compost can be used as a soil amendment or fertiliser in agriculture, horticulture, and landscaping.
There are various industrial composting methods, including windrow composting, aerated static pile (ASP) composting, in-vessel composting, anaerobic digestion composting, and insect processing. Regardless of the method used, industrial composting provides a sustainable solution for managing organic waste and reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfill.
There are a lot of packaging products and materials on the market today that require industrial composting conditions to break down. So, it’s important to check which compost certification each product holds before disposing of it.
For industrially compostable packaging, look for this symbol as well as the company’s specific sub-licence number:
One of the most popular industrial methods, windrow composting is the formation of long, narrow rows of organic waste material. This method relies on the sun and wind to provide heat and aeration to break down the organic matter.
Windrow composting is often used in large-scale applications – it can process a large amount of organic waste in a relatively small area. The decomposition process is enhanced by regularly turning the windrow to create aeration and distribute moisture.
Here’s an example of Jeffries, a world-leading windrow compost facility in action: link.
Aerated Static Pile (ASP) composting uses a combination of air and microbial activity (like bacteria and fungi) to turn organic waste into compost. In ASP composting, organic waste is piled up with loose, dry materials like woodchips, shredded paper and compostable packaging, allowing for plenty of oxygen and carbon dioxide to pass through. Sometimes, the compost piles are placed over pipes to help stimulate airflow. This type of composting is often used for large-scale composting operations, as it can handle a significant amount of waste.
As the name suggests, in-vessel composting is a method that breaks down organic waste in enclosed containers or vessels. In-vessel composting is often used for processing food waste, yard waste, and other types of organic waste that require rapid decomposition.
This method offers greater control over the composting process, as temperature, moisture, and aeration can be precisely monitored and adjusted. With greater control, there’s a more consistent and efficient composting process, as well as a high-quality end product. In-vessel composting is relatively compact, making it suitable for urban areas and locations where space is limited.
Anaerobic digestion is when organic matter breaks down without using oxygen. It produces biogas and nutrient-rich digestate – the end-product can be then used in biogas plants to generate renewable energy and organic fertilisers.
Anaerobic digestion is an exciting opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and waste, while also creating a more sustainable and circular economy.
For businesses looking for an on-site composting system, insect processing units, like GoTerra, are becoming increasingly popular.
GoTerra is a waste management technology company. GoTerra uses revolutionary modular, autonomous technology powered by insects that consume food waste!
The composting conditions inside these units are controlled for faster break down, while limiting odours and helping with pest control.
If you’re a business interested in on-site composting, learn more about buying a composting unit here.
So, now you know the difference between home and industrial composting. How do you make a start?
It depends on whether you’re starting at home or in your business.
We know, adding another bin to your waste disposal sounds overwhelming. But the truth is, it can be really simple. Up until a few years ago, there wasn’t an easy way for foodservice businesses to start composting. As a result, a significant amount of food waste and compostable packaging would wind up in landfill (and it still does).
That’s why we started Compost Connect, a not-for-profit initiative dedicated to connecting foodservice businesses with compost pickup services. The platform was designed to make it seamless for restaurants, cafes and other foodservice businesses to get a quote from a composter, add an organic waste bin to their waste disposal, and schedule collection days.
All you need to do is type in your postcode or suburb, then see if there’s a compost partner in your area.
The end result of home composting is similar to commercial composting – nutrient-dense soil food – only the process is a little less controlled and organic matter can take longer to break down. That means not all compostable packaging will break down in a home composting environment.
For home compostable packaging, look for this symbol as well as the company’s specific sub-licence number.
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