Can the HOTBIN Compost Just Food Waste?

Can I Compost Only Food Waste?

Yes.

The HOTBIN doesn’t require the addition of garden waste in order for it to work effectively. The unit can be used to compost solely food waste – the only issue to consider would be waste types which need a higher temperature (40-60°c) to be composted such as cooked food waste/small bones. In fact, our test HOTBINs located at HQ are primarily run on just office food waste with a diet of leftover buffets, tea bags and coffee grinds which is topped up by some extra waste brought in from home by the team.

Guidelines

Add over 40c: Cooked food waste, meat, fish and bones

Under 40c: Vegetable peelings, offcuts and fruit peelings (including citrus), tea leaves, coffee grinds, nuts

The majority of food waste is relatively easy to digest waste. Therefore after waste has been added into the HOTBIN the temperature will rise reasonably quickly but will also drop faster. To sustain the production of heat, also add in harder to digest waste as this breaks down (and produces heat) over a longer time period.

You may find the smaller 100l HOTBIN Mini is more suitable as it requires less waste to maintain hot composting temperatures. Get to know your HOTBIN too, every one is different depending on what is added in – know your temperature peaks and troughs and this will give you a good idea of when to feed it.

Remember, whatever volume of waste you add into the HOTBIN please ensure that it is chopped up and that both shredded paper and bulking agent are added in the suggested ratios. Bear in mind that although the HOTBIN will drive off some of this moisture, food waste is very "wet" so you may need to add some extra paper to control those moisture levels.