The development of technology, policy, and infrastructure that support environmentally responsible management of food waste is increasingly important in mitigating global climate change. Households on the consumer level demonstrate a major source of food waste generation and thus are the project’s target demographic. This project aims to create a smart composter that will promote decentralized, household composting behaviors to mitigate food waste related climate issues. It specifically targets the barriers–such as time, effort, space, and ick-factor–that deter young populations from contributing to composting efforts. The final design incorporates features inspired by industrial conical screw mixers, ensuring consistent mixing and high quality aeration. The addition of sensors and process controls help maintain optimal composting conditions, creating an efficient, hands-off composting experience.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Hoffman, Sola
• Gray, Hayley
• Rydout, Grace
• Marion, Rebecca
• Giancola, Emily

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 105501
• E-project-042623-162818

Keyword

• Mechanical Design
• Sustainability
• Composting

Advisor

• Wodin-Schwartz, Sarah Jane

Year

• 2023

Date created

• 2023-04-26

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Mechanical Engineering

Source

• E-project-042623-162818

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2023-06-21