Cycle
A more efficient way to compost food scraps better with less space.
Spring 2022
6 week project
This is a composter designed to be as efficient as possible at creating nutrient dense gardening soil. This project was inspired by my personal experience in vermi-composting. This gave me insight into the different problems and variables that could be improved.
Problems
Food accounts for 24.1% of all solid waste.
Every year, the average American throws away nearly 219 pounds of food. More than 146 million tons of food waste goes to landfill.
Low quality soil reduces the nutrients in food.
Plants that are grown in nutrient-depleted soil may not be as healthy or flavorful as those grown in soil that is rich in organic matter.
Fertilizers only provide nutrients for the plants.
Constant use of chemical fertilizer can alter the pH of soil, increase pests, and create soil crust, which results in decreasing organic matter load, stunting plant growth, and can produce greenhouse gases.
Problem Statement
Design a composter tower that converts organic matter into compost as efficiently as possible.
Design Objectives
Create an easy way to collect the worm tea that accumulates at the base of the system.
Create a efficient way to compost food waste into fertile soil to reduce food waste and use of artificial fertilizers.
Create a system that enables trays to be moved with ease to enable people who cant lift heavy objects to compost.
Story Board
Users will take their food scraps and deposit them into Cycle where the parts are shredded and drop to the bottom. After the worms decompose the food waste it can then be added to a garden or the trays can be used as pots.
A hose is used to empty the water runoff, referred to as worm tea, to fertilize plants. Potted plants benefit the most considering worm tea can not transfer any eggs or flies in the solution.
How it works
Food is added to the top where it is pulverized which increases the surface area and the rate of decomposition.
Pressing the button on the base of Cycle will activate the pulverizing blades.
The hose
The hose is used to easily remove the liquid runoff that collects at the base and fertilize potted plants.
Trays
The bottom of the trays can be removed so the food scraps go to the bottom and build up as the compost accumulates. Creating compost on the bottom most tray.
Final Design
The trays can also be used as pots for plants.
Two Varieties of Cycle
An aluminum version and a HDPE version.
This creates a broader range of users with different price points allowing more people to compose their food scraps reducing the over all food waste.
Both options function the same, are durable in outdoor environments, and will last many years.
Process and Ideation
Compost Needs to Decompose
Compost goes through a process of decomposition where an organism such as bacteria or worms consume plant matter and brake it down into simple materials. Plants can take advantage of these simpler minerals because plants can not access the minerals in unprocessed food waste as quickly.
Worm Composting
Worm composting, or Vermi-composting, is a method where worms are contained within a space then fed food scraps to be decomposed into manure. The worms eat the rotten material and break it down into more simple materials.
Traditionally worm composters are made of 3 to 4 sections.
The top is where food and paper are loaded in to feed the worms.
The second is where the food starts to rot for the worms to eat.
Third is composted material that can be harvested.
The last section holds excess water that seeped through the system which is commonly referred to as worm tea.
Product Comparison
Cost $ 75
Ryan 4.0 out of 5 stars Fun science experiment, pretty compact
I will say, I’ve grown to love this thing. It was a rough start, though, and I think if this came with a good, comprehensive pamphlet on vermiculture best practices and tips, it would have saved me a lot of headache instead doing the research.
This product can be difficult for people with disabilities and elderly people because it is hard to lift the trays to harvest the soil.
Learning how to use the worm bin can be a learning curve for users.
Mood Board
Ideation
CMF
Aluminum
Aluminum is the most reliable choice for outside structures that may need to spend years weathering the elements.
High-Density Polyethylene
HDPE has such high impact, chemical, and weather resistance, HDPE can outlast traditional materials.
Braided Nylon
Long lasting and very flexible compared to rubber hoses.
User
Name: Sarah Kosinski
Age: 35
Occupation: Stay-at-home mom and gardener
Location: Suburban home with a few garden beds
Sarah is a busy stay-at-home mom who is passionate about gardening and sustainable living. She grows a variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs in her small garden and likes to use organic methods whenever possible. She also wants to reduce her household waste and has been looking for an efficient way to compost food scraps.
She needs a composting solution that is easy to use and can efficiently break down her food scraps into rich, nutrient-filled compost for her garden. She wants a system that can handle a variety of organic materials, including kitchen scraps and yard waste. She also needs a composting solution that is compact and fits in her small backyard.
Insights
Worm composting supplies a constant amount of compost which requires a garden to fill.
Giving food more surface area speeds up the decomposition process.
Vermicomposting produces the most nutritious soil without the need for fertlizers.
What I Learned
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This product heavily relies on the use of worms for the function. They are the most efficient way to create high quality soil. So designing a system that compliments the user experience for both the worms and the users drives the purpose for this product.
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Vermicomposting system are expensive which reduces the accessibility for many people to use them. Creating a verity of aluminum and HDPE options allows a wider consumer base and could encourage more people to compost.
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This project presented an opportunity to experiment with new AI software in design. I primary utilized Viscom for the ideation of kitchen and washroom to get variations and renders of the sketches I produced. I also used Adobe Fierfly to create the story board images. The images were edited with highlights to direct attention to particular story points.