A compost leachate distribution device includes a composting chamber for receiving material to be composted and a leachate collection chamber for collecting, via a leachate fluid path, leachate generated during composting in the composting chamber. The device has a leachate mixing arrangement a first inlet for receiving a flow of water, a mixing chamber to which the first inlet leads for mixing water with leachate to form a water/leachate mix and an outlet leading from the mixing chamber to the exterior for exit of the water/leachate mix, wherein the leachate mixing arrangement has dosing means for controlling a rate of flow of leachate from the leachate collection chamber into the mixing chamber.

Provided is an expandable, modular tower planter having an internal vertical composting capability, and a method of assembling and using the same. Provided in various example embodiments is a modular composting garden container system comprising a base and a plurality of stackable rings forming a tower upon the base, including an optional base ring specially sized, shaped, and positioned to connect the tower to the base. A plurality of perforated, stackable tube sections are provided that are removably assembled into a compost tube assembly of selectable height and mounted within the interior of the tower and above the base. A plurality of holding struts are sized, shaped, and positioned to removably connect the compost tube assembly with the tower and to securely locate the compost tube assembly relative to the tower. Means are provided for recovering nutrient-rich drainage and selective recovery of compost material for reintroduction into the system.

A readily erectable installation for recycling organic waste into biogas and liquid fertilizer, on an industrial scale, implementing essentially anaerobic digestion processes, is described; the readily erectable installation includes: a cylindrically shaped assemblable enclosure and a pliant collapsible anaerobic digester, suspendable from the enclosure; a compact kit-of-parts for erecting the installation and respective method using the readily erectable installation for recycling organic waste into biogas and liquid fertilizer are described.

A readily erectable installation for recycling organic waste into biogas and liquid fertilizer, on an industrial scale, implementing essentially anaerobic digestion processes, is described; the readily erectable installation includes: a cylindrically shaped assemblable enclosure and a pliant collapsible anaerobic digester, suspendable from the enclosure; a compact kit-of-parts for erecting the installation and respective method using the readily erectable installation for recycling organic waste into biogas and liquid fertilizer are described.

A solids separator for use in a composting system for separating solid waste from liquid waste in a stream of waste includes a housing defining a waste inlet for receiving the stream of waste, a liquids outlet for passing the liquid waste, and a solids outlet for passing the solid waste. A separator belt is positioned within the housing and extending between the liquids outlet and the solids outlet, the separator belt defining a plurality of apertures through which the liquid waste passes through the separator belt and into the liquids outlet. A drive cylinder is rotatably mounted within the housing for selectively rotating the separator belt such that a top surface of the belt is moved toward the solids outlet along with the solid waste that is extracted from the stream of waste.

A solids separator for use in a composting system for separating solid waste from liquid waste in a stream of waste includes a housing defining a waste inlet for receiving the stream of waste, a liquids outlet for passing the liquid waste, and a solids outlet for passing the solid waste. A separator belt is positioned within the housing and extending between the liquids outlet and the solids outlet, the separator belt defining a plurality of apertures through which the liquid waste passes through the separator belt and into the liquids outlet. A drive cylinder is rotatably mounted within the housing for selectively rotating the separator belt such that a top surface of the belt is moved toward the solids outlet along with the solid waste that is extracted from the stream of waste.

A composting apparatus comprises a bin, an access panel, an aerator, a water content sensor, a valve, and a composting controller. The bin stores organic materials and compost therein. The access panel, disposed over an opening within the bin, allows access to an interior of the bin. The aerator, disposed within the bin, allows air into the bin to aerate the organic materials and compost therein. The water content sensor, disposed within the bin, senses a quantity of water within the organic materials and compost within the bin. The valve, coupled to a water line, controls a quantity of water added to the bin. The composting controller, coupled to the water content sensor and the water valve, actuates the water valve to control a quantity of water added to the bin based on the sensed quantity of water within the organic materials and compost.

A food recycler can include a bucket with a certain configuration for processing waste food. A bucket includes an interior surface having thereon a set of projections. A grinding mechanism includes a first arm connected to a rotational member, the first arm having a first distal end adjacent to the interior surface of the bucket and that has notches that are complementary to the projections. A second arm has a second distal end also having notches complementary to projections. Waste food is processed with the grinding mechanism.

A food recycler can include a bucket with a certain configuration for processing waste food. A bucket includes an interior surface having thereon a set of projections. A grinding mechanism includes a first arm connected to a rotational member, the first arm having a first distal end adjacent to the interior surface of the bucket and that has notches that are complementary to the projections. A second arm has a second distal end also having notches complementary to projections. Waste food is processed with the grinding mechanism.