Category: Composting Process

  • On-Site Composting as a System

    On-Site Composting as a System

    When organizations consider on-site composting, the conversation often starts with equipment. What size machine should we purchase? How much space will we need? What’s the ROI? While these are valid questions, they only scratch the surface.

    The truth is that on-site composting is not a product – it’s a system and implementing this system takes work and the motivation to transform the ways in which waste is handled on site.

    A successful composting program integrates people, processes, and infrastructure. It requires commitment from staff, clear protocols, and ongoing monitoring. It’s not something that can be installed and walked away from, and it’s important to understand that it will shift the way operations take place. 

    On-site composting is a living process that reflects your operational culture and values.

    It Starts with your Streams

    The foundation of any composting system is the material that goes in. Contamination, whether it’s plastics, packaging, or even the wrong types of organic waste (large bones!), can seriously impact the output and performance of your system.

    In fact, many product frustrations can be traced back to upstream issues. If materials aren’t sorted correctly before they enter the composter, the machine can’t do its job effectively.

    This is why we always recommend starting with a waste audit. It helps organizations understand what’s in their organic stream, what’s being missed, and what needs to change before composting begins. Whether you’re building from scratch or improving an existing system, clear insight into your waste streams is essential.

    Training, Signage, Feedback and Iterative Improvements

    Staff training, clear signage, and a shared understanding of why a system is in place are key to successful organics programs. For example: One of the most consistent challenges we see is around the use of bag liners.

    We can put up signage, we can train staff not to put bags in the bins, we can tell them not to input totes that have bags, but there’s still a systems problem. 

    It’s understandable that staff are reluctant to handle messy situations. However, the reality is that bag liners aren’t compatible with on-site composters. They take significantly longer to break down than organic waste, and often end up wrapped around the machine’s shaft, causing maintenance issues and reducing efficiency.

    That’s where a tote washing system like the VelociWash tote system comes in. It allows for quick and easy on-site cleaning of unlined organics totes, eliminating the need for bag liners altogether. Not only does this improve the performance of the composter, but it also reduces the labour required to clean bins by hand—making life easier for staff and keeping the system running smoothly.

    What Works in the Field for On-site Composting 

    From working with a range of clients, here’s what we’ve seen lead to successful composting programs:

    • Progressive implementation
      Start small and slowly implement changes. Many sites begin with back-of-house organics (from kitchens, food vendors, etc.) before expanding to tenants and front-of-house areas where post-consumer waste is more complex. This phased approach allows staff and tenants to gradually adapt.
    • Integrated training
      Staff interacting with the system need to know how it works, how to maintain it, and why it matters. Early and ongoing training prevents misuse, reduces frustration, and boosts long-term success.
    • Designated on-site leaders
      Having a few trained staff who oversee the entire composting system leads to better consistency. Too many people involved without clear responsibilities can lead to process breakdowns.
    • Communicating your story
      When waste disappears into a truck and no one sees what happens next, skepticism sets in. On-site composting creates transparency. Staff, tenants, and even customers can see the system working—and it creates a shared sense of ownership. This visibility drives better habits and encourages source separation and contamination reduction.

    A Cultural Shift

    Implementing on-site composting successfully requires more than logistics—it requires a shift in mindset. It asks teams to think differently about waste, ownership, and responsibility. It requires champions inside the organization and support from leadership. The most successful programs are those that treat composting not as a checkbox but as a cornerstone of their sustainability journey.

    Mapleview Shopping Centre is a great example of this cultural shift. You can read their success story and more about their process here.

  • Transform Waste into Opportunity with On-Site Composting

    Transform Waste into Opportunity with On-Site Composting

    Imagine a busy food court or office cafeteria where trays of leftover food are tossed into the trash, bound for a landfill. This is a common sight in many places. Now, consider an alternative where those scraps never leave the building. Instead of being discarded, they are transformed into something valuable right on-site. This is the potential of on-site composting, offering a practical and sustainable solution for managing organic waste.

    The Composting Process

    Composting is nature’s way of recycling organic materials such as food scraps into nutrient-rich soil amendment. Items often seen as waste, including vegetable peels and coffee grounds, become valuable resources through this process. Rather than contributing to landfills, these materials enrich the soil and support plant growth.

    Microbes are the driving force behind composting. When organic waste is collected and placed in a composting system, these organisms immediately begin breaking it down. Initially, the process remains cool as softer materials like fruit peels decompose. Over time, the compost heats up, breaking down tougher materials while eliminating harmful pathogen.

    Aeration is essential to the process. Without oxygen, decomposition slows and unpleasant odors can develop. Regularly turning the compost or using a system with built-in aeration keeps oxygen circulating, ensuring efficient breakdown and odor control.

    On-Site Composting for Your Business

    Before implementing on-site composting, it is important to determine if your business produces enough organic waste to make it effective. Consider whether your building generates a steady stream of food scraps and if there is enough space to accommodate a composting system, keeping in mind that Terraforma Systems offers several different machine sizes depending on your building needs and requirements.

    Businesses with a consistent flow of organic waste can benefit from reduced waste hauling costs and enhanced sustainability practices. On-site composting is an ideal solution for organizations committed to reducing their environmental impact while managing waste more efficiently.

    The Journey of Waste to Compost

    The process begins when organic waste, such as banana peels, eggshells, or coffee grounds, enters the composter. Businesses and malls often place designated bins in food courts, cafeterias, kitchens, or outdoor areas to collect these scraps. Inside the composter, microbes break down the organic material into simpler compounds, eventually forming a nutrient-rich and dark soil amendment.

    As decomposition continues, heat naturally builds up, accelerating the breakdown process and eliminating harmful pathogens. Many composting systems include aeration features to keep microbes active and prevent odors, making the process efficient and clean.

    The Benefits of Using The Output Soil Amendment

    Within up to 24 hours, the organic material transforms into dark, crumbly soil amendment that is ready to be used to enrich soil after treatment. This nutrient-packed product can be used to enhance landscaping, gardens, or urban farms, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.

    Businesses with large campuses or green spaces can use compost to maintain their grounds sustainably. In urban areas, excess compost can be donated to community gardens, supporting local food production and fostering stronger community ties. On-site composting not only reduces waste but also creates a positive environmental impact.

    Reducing Costs and Environmental Impact

    On-site composting helps businesses save on waste hauling expenses by eliminating the need to transport food scraps to external facilities. This approach reduces transportation costs and disposal fees, providing a cost-effective waste management solution.

    By sending less organic waste to landfills, businesses also cut methane emissions, a significant contributor to climate change. On-site composting helps lower a company’s carbon footprint while demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability.

    Supporting the Circular Economy

    On-site composting supports the circular economy by viewing waste as a resource rather than something to be discarded. Businesses that adopt this approach demonstrate leadership in sustainability, which resonates with eco-conscious clients and consumers. By transforming waste into a valuable resource, companies contribute to a healthier planet and enhance their brand image.

    A Step Toward Sustainability

    On-site composting goes beyond waste reduction by reshaping how businesses view organic material. Instead of discarding valuable resources, companies can turn them into a product that nourishes the environment, reduces costs, and supports sustainability efforts. This simple yet impactful step transforms waste into an asset, benefitting both the business and the planet.