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PHOTO: F. MARTIN RAMIN/THE WALL STREET JOURNAL By Jordan G. Teicher
How Composting Has Gone High-Tech
HUMANS HAVE composted food for about as long as they have grown it. But in a world increasingly obsessed with tidy convenience, many view the chore of converting food waste into fertilizer for plants and gardens much as they do tending to kombucha scoby or committing to cloth diapers for their infants: too time-consuming, too “granola” and too plain icky.
Composting has “been perceived as this very stinky project that takes a bunch of time and only makes sense if you have a big backyard,” said Friday Apaliski, a San Francisco “sustainability concierge” who works with clients to make their homes more green. She believes that people “are starting to understand how truly phenomenal composting is.”
Indeed, new composting technology has emerged that makes the process easier, faster and more stylish. Some composting systems are now small enough to live on your kitchen’s countertop and sufficiently attractive that you won’t mind looking at them day after day.
And with houseplant ownership skyrocketing (compost is just as good for Instagramable succulents as for an old-time vegetable garden) and a growing desire to reduce methane- producing food waste, more Americans are trying the ancient practice out for themselves. Between 2014 and 2019, according to the 2019 Composting in America report, the number of American communities offering composting programs increased 65%. This summer, Vermont became the first state in the nation to make composting mandatory.
If you’re going to do it, why not do it as pleasantly as possible? Here, our four favorite new products that use sharp design and cutting-edge technology to speed up, shrink down or even glamorize composting at home.
For Lazy Gardeners
Anyone looking to turn food scraps into fertilizer has typically had to house the refuse in rudimentary backyard containers and use their own forearm strength to intermittently aerate it with a shovel. New age tumblers like the Envirocycle do most of the aerating for you: You need only spin the drum manually a few times a week. Stored outside, the device is fully enclosed—keeping funky smells in and curious critters out. The company offers a 17-gallon version of its classic 35-gallon tumbler designed to fit on a patio or balcony. It promises to produce usable compost for your pandemic victory garden in a month.
Home Composting is Easy with Envirocycle
The Most Beautiful Composter in the World is an innovative all-in-one outdoor composting system that arrives ready to use, with no assembly required, right out of the 100% recycled content box designed to minimize packaging. It is essential for any eco-friendly home and centerpiece in any suburban garden, deck, patio, or urban city apartment or condo balcony, conveniently placed near entranceways in direct sunlight for easy access from the kitchen.
Envirocycle Composters are high quality, proudly made in America of food safe and BPA free, materials, all backed by a 5 Year Limited Warranty, and our customer service? Not bad at all…
Customize your composting experience with 8 innovative easy-to-use drain plugs to collect powerful liquid fertilizer compost tea in the base, drain compost tea into the soil or to boost the humidity in the pile; a feature invented by Envirocycle. Easily open the snap latch and door with one hand to dump a variety of compostable material with the other. Worms can be used to accelerate the composting process and generate rich vermicompost castings. Vents increase airflow into the drum to aerate, oxygenate and create optimal aerobic composting conditions. Grab onto the drum’s deep, elegant grooves and turn the composter 3 full revolutions, every 3 days and once the composter is full, after a quick 4 to 8 weeks you will have fresh, earthy smelling mature compost.
Use your Envirocycle composter all year long, and during freezing winters, continue to add to the drum without turning it. Easily roll the drum off the base to wherever you choose, remove the door and dump and mix your mature compost into soil or apply as top dressing, without the need to reach into the drum with your hands or any other tools, to grow strong plants and healthy fruits and vegetables.
Technical Specifications
| Shipping Weight | 28.5 lbs |
|---|---|
| Shipping Dimensions | 27 x 23 x 29 in |
| Weight | 24.6 lbs |
| Dimensions | 25.4 x 21.5 x 27.7 in |
| Drum Capacity | 35 US Gallons |
| Base Capacity | 2.5 US Gallons |
| Door Opening Dimensions | 11.5 x 11 in |
| Color | Black or Hot Pink |
| Material | Food Grade and BPA Free Plastic, Aluminum |
| Brand | Envirocycle |
| Warranty | 5 Year Limited Warranty |
| Origin | America |
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If you have any questions about the product, contact our customer service team by email at customerservice@envirocycle.com, or by phone at 1-866-989-3684.
* We collect Sales Tax on your behalf in certain States, which is not included in the price and will be added to the cost of your order. Free shipping is included in the price when shipping to the 48 contiguous States. Contact our customer service team for assistance if you reside in Alaska or Hawaii.
Amber Salyers –
I have owned this composter for around 6 years. It is perfect especially for beginners. I add kitchen scraps, fallen leaves, shredded paper and it turns into beautiful compost. I love the design. It’s easy to turn and roll to any spot in your garden. I really love the basin it sits on which collects compost tea. I wish I had more than one!
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freebird919 –
I used my first large capacity for six years in Texas finding it of great quality. My diet is regulated to primarily vegetables with the occasional variety of seafood. We produce a lot of vegetable waste (ends, apple cores and etc.). Turning the tumbler is extremely easy until completely full and even then, not hard. I now plan to elevate it for ease of emptying compost and tea (suggested) having had to remove and roll it to site in the past (not real easy). FYI buy compost starter (company should provide this!, especially at this price!). Overall, we’ll worth the price compared to poor quality competition. I’d have bought two but there was no monetary incentive to do so (hint to Co.).
Question: if the tumbler is truly “American made”, why is it an international order?
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Idida –
Why I chose the Envirocycle? Because, no rat, no opossum, no raccoon can get into it. That was my number one requirement. This fits that bill. The second requirement was it needed to be practical & a clean process. This fits the bill too. It is a no mess explaining and I love that! The third one was, it needed not to be a sore thumb and be part of the garden. It definitely does that. I absolutely love the Envirocycle and I am so
Pleased with it. It is my third year with it.
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Deb –
This is by far the best composter I own. Love the liquid compost “tea” it produces. I really want another one but you need to ship to Canada!
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Jeff (verified owner) –
It is in its first season of full use. So far, it is working superbly, and the design overall is excellent. When it is first taken out of the box, it does not look very big, but its capacity is actually very large, and the design is robust such that it seems well able to handle the load. My compostables tend to be somewhat moist, so I use an old fashioned garden edger to break up clumps and then allow for better aeration. Novices should note that compost can weigh a lot, but turning this one is not too hard on its wheel supports.
I purchased this model because I have learned that composters that allow for active rotation to aerate and mix the compost definitely work faster and better. Passive bin composters may seem to have more capacity, but they are difficult in terms of mixing or turning the compost, so they take much longer to do the job.
My friends and family have thought this composter is “cute”, even though it is the black model. I can only imagine what they would say about the pink one.
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Debra Lee Boatwright –
I have had my cute composter for about 5 years. We have cool winters but brutally hot summers and my composter sits next to my garden in the sun. I have had zero issues. It turns easily with two hands when nearly full, the latch works perfectly. But what is really exciting is the excellent compost with very little maintenance. This was the best garden tool I’ve ever bought and recommend it without hesitation.
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Sue Kurzman –
This IS the cutest composter in the world. It has so much personality, I named mine Oliver! (After Oliver Douglas on Green Acres :) I look forward to putting this little workhorse to good use in the spring. Being a vegetarian, Oliver will get a lot of nutrient rich peels and scraps. Thanks, Envirocycle!
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Jessica Schulz –
This composter is well designed, easy to use, sturdy, eco friendly and attractive! Even in a cooler climate I’ve already made 1 full batch of compost this summer. The compact size of even the larger roller is compact and doesn’t take up a bunch of room in my little apartment yard. I highly recommend these products over the others. They last for years and have wonderful customer service to help you with any bumps in the road you may encounter. Quick responses and knowledgeable experts. They even helped me replace a cracking latch. Turning kitchen scraps into rich compost couldn’t be easier or more satisfying to roll.
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The Major –
I use this every year in the mid-west where we often have cold cold winters (regularly see single or negative digits) and hot hot summers (regularly see triple digits). This composter has never failed me. It is extremely versatile and so easy to use. I just put my scraps in, give it a spin periodically and come spring, I have all the compost I need for my garden. It’s like magic. If you are a composter, why pay for an expensive service or use one of those elevated drum composters (which suck, btw)? Just get one of these and enjoy a happy healthy garden the easy way.
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Gerald I Cohen –
I purchased an original Envirocycle in September 2014 and left it outside near my home in Detroit. It is an excellent product that has greatly reduced the amount of trash I bring to the curb. In addition, I enjoy adding the compost to my garden and reducing my carbon footprint. Last year, the door to the bin was broken and at no charge was replaced. Customer service was exceptional. One thing I learned is that the brown to green matter ratio must be respected for good results. I avoid synthetics, especially paper products such as paper towels. It makes sense to buy 2 bins so that when one if full, another can be used while the first ferments.
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William Lingo –
I love it, actually received mine 2nd hand, but they are so durable it’s not an issue, even after sitting idle for over a year. I only have issues if I over fill it and that’s only because I suffered a stroke and have right sided weakness. It’s an excellent product and will last a lifetime if taken care of and by that I mean cleaning the rollers and flushing the tea tank occasionally.
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Shauna Coolican –
These composters are the best. Why? Because they are so easy to use and turnover, that you actually do use it. I keep two, one to fill and one curing.
I got two for our Quaker Meeting. Now single people that don’t generate enough for their own bin, bring their compostables to the Meeting bin. They feel good about composting and the Meeting has a lovely, nourished butterfly garden.
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Johanna Maron –
This is our first composter and everyone at the company was so helpful in answering all my questions and concerns. I can’t wait to start composting!
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Chris –
Just got mine & am so excited to start using it. Best customer service! This company takes care of its customers!
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Susan DeVogel –
We live in bear country, and this composter does not disappoint. The bears sometimes get it off the cradle and roll it around a bit, but they have never defeated the small latch. It takes up little space and does a great job of breaking down the kitchen waste. And, it really is beautiful.
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