Green Cone solar digester - Ask Extension
Hello - My church wants to install a green cone solar digester on its property to handle any food waste generated from our kitchen. However, we onl...
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Green Cone solar digester #874763
Asked June 26, 2024, 9:55 AM EDT
Hello - My church wants to install a green cone solar digester on its property to handle any food waste generated from our kitchen. However, we only hold 1 or 2 events per week that generate food scraps.
The concern is that we are not generating enough material for the digester to continue working properly, especially in winter and colder temperatures. Is there a MINIMUM amount of food scraps needed on a weekly basis to make the green cone a viable solution for handling food waste from our church kitchen?
Thank you
Chittenden County Vermont
Expert Response
Hi, Kevin. Your question is a good one. I don't believe there is a minimum quantity required for the digester to work, as it just breaks down what is there.
As noted on the ACSWMD website, "Green Cones are in-ground digesters that break down ALL food scraps, including meat, bones and dairy. They differ from composting in that they don't produce compost, and therefore don't require any "browns" or carbon material like leaves, paper or straw, or turning. Rather, the nutrients from food scraps are released into the soil during decomposition, and nourish the plants nearby."
For compost, you need a certain mass and volume of material for the process to heat up and work most effectively. Because the digester is not making compost, it seems that having a small volume of food waste is not important. (Think of in-ground septic systems - they break down whatever amount of waste comes in.) However, bear in mind that the green cone digester can't handle large volumes, and has a limit of about 1.5 – 2.5 pounds per day, according to the CSWD website. If a church event generates a lot of waste, you might have to dispose of it in small amounts across several days.
As for cold weather, according the to the manufacturer's manual, "the level of food waste may rise during winter but should drop down when the weather gets warmer. If it slows during very cold periods, you may use the natural accelerator supplied with the unit to help recharge the microbes."
I hope this is helpful, and I will let you know if I get more information.
As noted on the ACSWMD website, "Green Cones are in-ground digesters that break down ALL food scraps, including meat, bones and dairy. They differ from composting in that they don't produce compost, and therefore don't require any "browns" or carbon material like leaves, paper or straw, or turning. Rather, the nutrients from food scraps are released into the soil during decomposition, and nourish the plants nearby."
For compost, you need a certain mass and volume of material for the process to heat up and work most effectively. Because the digester is not making compost, it seems that having a small volume of food waste is not important. (Think of in-ground septic systems - they break down whatever amount of waste comes in.) However, bear in mind that the green cone digester can't handle large volumes, and has a limit of about 1.5 – 2.5 pounds per day, according to the CSWD website. If a church event generates a lot of waste, you might have to dispose of it in small amounts across several days.
As for cold weather, according the to the manufacturer's manual, "the level of food waste may rise during winter but should drop down when the weather gets warmer. If it slows during very cold periods, you may use the natural accelerator supplied with the unit to help recharge the microbes."
I hope this is helpful, and I will let you know if I get more information.
