Surprisingly, the two largest components in a landfill are food and paper, both biodegradable substances. In fact, statistics clearly show that nearly 50% of all municipal solid waste is consistent of only food and paper products. The EPA clearly states that food waste is the #1 least recycled material.

The problem with landfills pertaining to food and paper waste is the lack of oxygen, which so happens to be a principle partner in promoting degradation. Thanks in part to a population explosion and the lack of landfill space costs are skyrocketing for waste removal. This can only mean higher taxes and higher fees for everyone. A bright inventor and waste removal expert has developed upon an old idea and created a more simple solution for the home and office environment to eliminate food scraps the smart way.

Welcome Nature Mill, invented by Russ Cohn through a series of stinky trial and error R&D stents. The Nature Mill is an indoor composter for the unwanted pounds of food discarded daily. IT works like this: You can deposit food scraps into the unit at any time, up to 120 lbs per month. For the most efficient results only discard small pieces of food or cut it up accordingly. Freshly disposed food scraps rest in the upper chamber under a high temp composting condition. The process involves mixing air flow, moisture and heat to break down the food efficiently. The high temp conditions destroy odors, seed germination and pathogens. The compost is sifted into a lower chamber via a trap door where the waste continues to compost.

In the past, composters let out the foul smell of rotting foods but the cultures that the Nature Mill creates can consume waste quickly and without the odors. The aroma produced is mild, similar to sourdough, wet straw or mushrooms. The odor can be further reduced by balancing the chemistry within by adding the provided small bits of sawdust and baking soda to reduce the acidity. A small fan continually draws fresh air into the chamber providing a consistent flow of oxygen to the cultures. Add a highly effective carbon filter and a constant 140 degree Fahrenheit sauna environment and you have a solid odorless indoor unit. The filter is only in need of replacement once every 4-5 years at the mere cost of $8 or simply a dollar if you buy the carbon yourself.

The unit is sleek and small, easily set up in any kitchen, garage, and laundry room or break room for effective management of food waste. It will fit inside standard cabinet sizes and it even comes in a variety of fancy colors. If you have no spare room it can even work efficiently outdoors, through thick and thin it is a weather proof unit capable and ready to help you tackle your waste. The only down side to the unit is that it consumes power, it plugs into a socket and requires the juice to keep it going.

Roughly every two weeks, or when the indicator light bears its signal the cure process is completed and the removable curing tray in the sub compartment is ready to be disposed of. The composted material left over is a rich mixture of concentrated compost fertilizer for your planter or garden bed. From the initial dump into the receptacle to the cured compost discharge nearly seventy percent of the waste will have disappeared into thin air.

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