Agricultural Composting and Recycling Solutions

The EcoPod® recycling solution spells the end for unsightly, labour intensive, lengthy and odorous composting. This unique, patented system dramatically cuts processing time using a low-cost contained system and forced aeration.

EFFICIENT - VERSATILE - CONVENIENT - FAST - PROFITABLE

EcoPods® low-tech system offers the user a high degree of process control that minimises many composting concerns such as odour, bio-aerosols, wind blown litter, weather related problems and high operating costs.

Leachate is eliminated as this proven methodology utilises LDPE plastic to contain the composting material. The EcoPod® can be either 1.5 metres or 3 metres in diameter and up to 60 metres in length. When full it is sealed at each end. Green in colour the EcoPod® blends with surroundings and attracts solar heat. Depending on the size used, an EcoPod® will hold up to 400 cubic metres of shredded and mixed materials.

Turning has historically been the most labour intensive part of the composting process and has to be carried out in order to introduce oxygen to the materials to create the heat necessary to obtain mandatory temperatures.

The EcoPOD® composting system provides excellent control of moisture, oxygen supply, and temperature. Free air space is regulated by compaction adjustment on the filling machine. The oxygen supply is replenished by forced aeration thus eliminating the need for manual turning. Temperature and optional oxygen monitors indicate when the airflow requires adjusting. Moisture content is established upon blending the materials. The

EcoPOD® maintains consistent moisture and temperature levels throughout the process while other systems do not. The compost matrix is sufficient in size to maintain heat, even in cold climates.

How can you compost without turning?

The area needed to compost is determined by the volume of waste material to be processed. A 10,000 tonne per annum site requires an area of approximately 0.6 hectares. Site requirements can be as simple as a slope of a few degrees with a gravel or hard-packed surface, although each site will be individually assessed. Asphalt or concrete are not necessary, but may improve site performance. A 16 amp single phase electricity supply or a generator is required together with a water supply.

Site Requirements

With EcoPODs patented aeration system, temperature control becomes simple and eliminates weather factors.  There are vent valves installed at twelve locations on the EcoPOD®. If temperatures or oxygen levels inside the EcoPOD® are not optimal, the airflow is adjusted accordingly. Conditions inside the EcoPOD® can be manually or computer controlled and are not reliant on ambient temperature.

The EcoPOD® system provides a cycle time of as little as 8-10 weeks after which the EcoPOD® is opened, the compost removed and matured. Five composting cycles per year are therefore possible on the same area of land. The flexibility of the EcoPOD® system provides the opportunity to treat different batches of materials separately. This makes the system especially valuable to those involved in composting animal byproducts and catering waste. The opportunity exists to create individual pods of catering waste separately from those containing other materials. Once the materials are ontained within the pods they can be treated and monitored exclusively from any other materials that may be processed on the same site. In addition, with all material contained inside there is no exposure to weather and the problems of bird strike and animal scavenging are eliminated.

The EcoPOD® composting system leads the way in safe, hygienic management of animal by-products and catering waste. Stage 1 of the ABPO is met through the use the EcoPOD® for 8 weeks. The total encapsulation of the materials and the aeration process received produces the necessary temperature requirements of 60 OC for 2 days required for 99.8% of composting materials. To ensure full temperature compliance, pods are covered by an insulated jacket which is used to quickly raise the temperature to meet requirements.

For Catering Waste

Temperature profiles are confirmed by data loggers inserted at various depths throughout each pod which continually record the temperatures achieved thus enabling a full computer generated audit trail for each EcoPOD® of compost. Stage 2 of the ABPO for composting feedstocks that are meat excluded is the storage of materials of at least 18 days following treatment. Stage 2 of the ABPO for composting feedstocks that are meat included, is the secondary treatment of materials to achieve 60 OC for 8 days turning 3 times during the process. Site procedures and approved site designs ensure that finished compost or ‘clean product’ will be stored separately from incoming feedstock. Specific ‘clean’ and ‘dirty’ areas are on the site along with the necessary disinfection points to ensure full ABPO compliance.

 
EcoPOD® is a sealed system which means that odour containment is assured. The valving and aeration control process of the EcoPOD® maintains aerobic activity during the composting cycle reducing to a minimum the amount of labour and supervision required. With all material contained inside there is no exposure to weather and the problems of weather blown litter and pathogen aerosol release are eliminated. Excess moisture remains contained within the EcoPOD®, and can be evaporated  prior to opening using the forced aeration system. The quality of the final compost is determined by the feedstock and balance of the mix of materials that went into the EcoPOD®. Contamination by inorganic materials will affect the final compost quality, but any material sized to our specifications can be included.