LEARN MORE | Co Power Composting

Co-Power Composting stands out by providing consulting services for custom-designed, community-based DIY composting vessels.

Our unique approach includes comprehensive, step-by-step guidance throughout the process. We begin by understanding your specific needs through a series of in-depth conversations, leading to a tailored proposal.

Our Clients

Our services are designed for community leaders and organizers in urban, suburban and rural areas. We cater to those who are interested in composting food scraps, providing excellent odor control and rodent protection.

To ensure success, we look for clients with built-in support networks, such as small municipalities or school districts, with layers of support and accountability, adequate community/organizational support for long-term success, a critical mass of support, and a core group of committed enthusiasm.

We especially love to work with clients who are excited about incorporating zero-waste/eco-bricks into the design.

We Serve…

Communities
Neighborhood associations
Non-profit community associations
Camps and parks in remote areas
K-12 schools and school districts
Small municipalities
Food pantries and food banks
Retreat centers
Eco-retreats
Farmer’s Markets
Community Gardens
Restaurants

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you provide plans?

We provide fabrication drawing sets, but we don’t provide “stamped engineering” drawings. Stamped engineering or construction drawings are typically not needed for fabricating a composting vessel. However, if you do, this is something you will need to acquire or provide locally.

What is included in the plans?

Our plans are custom packages that include: •Fabrication drawings •Detailed material list •Tools and equipment needed •Budget •Timeline •Manual of operations and maintenance

Do I need skilled labor?

No. You will need people who can do basic construction and rough carpentry. Our designs lend themselves to community participation for people of all ages.

Can you do the fabrication for us?

Generally, all our our work is done remotely with local labor support. However, if the scale and the budget allow it, there may cases where it would make sense for us to lead the project on-site. But the project has to be really, really cool! :)

Will you guide us with how many volunteers we will need to build the system?

Yes, and the general answer is about twice the number of volunteers that you think you need. Because only about 1/2 the volunteers typically show up, unless the snacks are really good!

How much time/money will this system take to operate?

Timewise, it typically takes a minimum of about one hour per week to load food scraps and bulking agents (carbon/wood chips/leaves) and monitor the compost process. If you are loading feedstocks everyday, you could be spending an hour per day.

Operations budgets depend on the scale of the system and if you are working with volunteers or paid staff.

Of course, what you include in the labor calculations matters.

These tasks could including:

Transporting food scraps.
Incorporating compost into the soil.
Education, advocacy, research, lab analysis.
Source separation campaigns.
Selling and/or bagging compost.

What are the site requirements?

It depends on what you want to compost. We create designs that can sit on concrete/asphalt, gravel, or bare ground. Our designs can be customized for any climate. In cold climates or for wintertime composting, we offer insulated, fully-enclosed composting systems (with optional floor heaters, if power is available). If needed, we work with insulation and heating systems and can also compost inside of buildings.

Odor

With competent operations and a good recipe, you should not expect any nuisance odors outside the compost vessel. We can provide excellent odor control, but your team will have to operate the system according to our specifications, religiously. There is no way to compensate for neglect and abuse of the system.

With competent operations, composting is a dream. Without, it can be like a nightmare. Generally speaking, it's good to keep in mind that compost smells! Aerobic composting is the smell of cooking food all blended together. This is SO different than the smell of anaerobic decomposition, which can smell acidic, putrid, with ammonia, rotten eggs, vomit and manure. Totally different experience.

Will it attract rats/mice or insects?

Our plans are designed to keep out rodents and other animals. However, the rodents work 24/7, trying to figure out how to get in. Maintenance and inspections overtime are necessary, to prevent rodents from finding a way in.
If you don’t keep your food scraps covered, the insects will love it!
Our #1 RULE: ALWAYS keep your food scraps covered with clean carbon-rich bulking agent.

How long will the compost vessel last?

Generally, the answer is indefinitely, though construction details, fabrication, and local weather should be considered. There’s no accounting for severe weather such as gale-force winds. However, these are repairable systems, made of commonly available building materials. All of the components are replaceable over time.

What are common things that can go wrong with projects like these?

Human resources are by far the most difficult challenge in creating a successful composting program. The lack of a solid, committed operations team is the number one reason why composting efforts fail.
Composting processes require consistent leadership.
Someone must care that this process is successful.
If your champion leaves, there needs to be someone to replace them or things will fall apart.
Incompetent, lax, neglectful operations tend to get into “blame the box syndrome.”
We know better. Composting success is 90% about competent operations.
A key part of our role is composting training: to clearly communicate the simple keys to effective composting operations.

What is the rate of success?

Making compost from food-scraps successfully is easy, if a few key rules are followed religiously. If these rules aren't followed, the success rate is super low. Here are the key secrets to success:

Use an appropriate composting recipe for your food scraps.
Always cover food scraps immediately after addition.
Keep the compost from getting too wet or too dry.

What kinds of projects are out of scope of your consulting services?

The scale we focus on is 50 lbs/day to 500 lbs/day of food scraps.

We focus on composting food scraps where critter and odor control are important.

We don't compost green waste/landscape waste only projects. You don't need us for that.

We don’t take on clients without a solid plan or committed human resources to operate the system successfully, before, during and after the project.