Frequently Asked Questions

Non-organic items should not be composted, and certified compostable bioplastics – if fully plant-based -  should be broken down to smaller particle sizes if possible to expedite composting. See our Dos and Don’ts for more details.

Yes! Chicken and fish bones usually break down in one 24-hour cycle.  Larger bones might take 2 or 3 cycles. If you have large volumes of large bones, we offer a  crusher/shredder option for our larger composters, or a stand-alone third party model can be used.  Wood and hard bioplastics – like forks and spoons or cups and bowls can make up to 20% by volume of a daily load. But wood needs to be chipped. Talk to us for further details.

Not traditional plastic bags. But paper bags are okay if not more than 20% by volume of a daily load. Bioplastic bags will break down over time in the machine, but might take more than one cycle.

The compost is finished in its breakdown process in just 24 hours, however it is biologically active at this stage – the food digesting microbes are still active. The second phase of making any compost, in-vessel or not, is called maturing. Once the material is moved out of the machine, it should be allowed to rest for up to 3 weeks in a closed container (so no water can enter) or in the open where is dry.  After that, it can be mixed 1 part of the finished product to about 4 parts of the application you are using it for – planting soil, mulch, additional compost, etc.

Yes! The finished product usually has a moisture content of about 10 to 12%. It is actually ideal, as it reduces the weight, makes transporting it easier, and makes it versatile for multiple applications.

The material, which we refer to as a soil amendment, can also be used to make high impact nutrient mixes, such as inoculated biochar, compost tea and other high capacity and highly versatile nutrient mixes for plant systems which you may not readily be able to excavate in.