What Are the Different Types of Composting?

A person’s hands holding up a pile of nutrient-rich compost. There’s soil in the background and the sun is shining.

Composting, also known as organic recycling, is the natural breakdown of organic matter over time. 

It’s nature’s reversion of recycling, where beneficial fungi, bacteria, insects, worms, and other organisms work to decompose organic waste and turn it into a nutrient-rich resource. 

While all composting methods achieve a similar result (a valuable resource for soil, plants and the environment), the processes can vary. 

So, what are the different types of composing methods?

Let’s dig a little deeper.

What Are the Types of Composting Methods?

There are two main types of composting methods – home composting and industrially composting

As the name suggests, home composting is composting that’s done at home (most commonly in your backyard). While the end result of nutrient-dense soil food is similar to commercial composting facilities, the main difference is that home composting is a little less regulated when it comes to temperature and atmosphere. This also means that not all certified compostable packaging will break down in a home composting environment (more on this below).

Industrial composting involves organic waste being sent to a commercial facility where it is mass-composted. This type of composting typically involves carefully managed conditions, like temperature, moisture, aeration, and nutrient levels – making the whole process easier to control and maintain. A lot of packaging products and materials on the market require industrial composting conditions to break down. 

Why Is It Important to Know the Different Types of Composting Methods?

Knowing the difference between these two composting methods is important because it makes it much easier to dispose of packaging responsibly, as well as identify different types of compost bins when you’re out and about.

Because, while almost all organic waste can be composted at home, not all compostable packaging can be. Some packaging can be easily broken down in home composting systems, while some need the regulated environment of a commercial facility.

Lastly, knowing the different types of home composting methods specifically will help you choose the compost bin that best suits your space and lifestyle.

Home Composting Methods

Regardless of whether you have a big backyard, a small courtyard or even a balcony in an apartment – there’s a home composting method to suit. 

Here are some of the different home composting methods – backyard composting, vermicomposting, bokashi composting, and Subpod composting – so you can decide which method is best for you.

Backyard Composting

You’ve no doubt seen this method before – backyard composting uses a traditional compost bin or container in your backyard. This method accelerates nature’s natural recycling process, breaking down your organic food and garden waste. 

Once you’ve got a compost bin, all you need is a mix of green and brown organic materials, water and air. Green materials include things like fruits, vegetable scraps, tea leaves and grass, while brown materials include things like leaf litter, paper and twigs. 

By keeping this balance of organic materials, water, and air, the composting process can transform your organic waste into a nutrient-rich fertiliser.

A traditional backyard compost bin in the middle of a lush veggie patch.A traditional backyard compost bin in the middle of a lush veggie patch.

Vermicomposting

Like backyard composting, only with worms to help speed things along. 

This method uses worms to break down organic matter and produce valuable worm excrete castings (which is like highly fertile worm manure). 

Vermicomposting is a convenient way to compost food waste in small spaces, like apartments or homes with small outdoor spaces.

A person holding up a handful of soil with worms throughout itA person holding up a handful of soil with worms throughout it

Bokashi Composting

Unique and a little less common, bokashi composting uses anaerobic fermentation to break down organic matter. 

Bokashi is a Japanese word meaning ‘fermented organic matter.’ This method is a little less common, using anaerobic fermentation to break down organic matter. Food waste is sealed in an airtight container with a special mix of bacteria and yeast (known as ‘bokashi bran’). You can use bokashi composting alongside traditional composting methods.

close up of a bokashi compost, including the bokashi bin and a spoonful of bokashi branclose up of a bokashi compost, including the bokashi bin and a spoonful of bokashi bran

Subpod Composting

A type of vermicompost, a Subpod is a revolutionary in-ground and self-fertilising composting system. 

It works by burying the Subpod in your garden bed, then you fill it with food and garden waste and the worms and microbes get to work. Over time, the nutrients created will feed your soil and plants.

Subpod composting system in the middle of a raised garden bedSubpod composting system in the middle of a raised garden bed
Source: https://www.quickcrop.co.uk/

Industrial Composting Methods

An industrial composting facility with a pile of organic matter and compost. There’s heavy machinery in the background moving the compost around.An industrial composting facility with a pile of organic matter and compost. There’s heavy machinery in the background moving the compost around.

Industrial composting is a sustainable solution for managing organic waste – reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfill and working towards a circular economy. 

There are various industrial composting methods, including windrow composting, aerated static pile (ASP) composting, in-vessel composting, anaerobic digestion composting, and insect processing. 

Let’s take a closer look.

Windrow Composting

Windrow composting is the formation of long, narrow rows of organic waste material. This method relies on the sun and wind to provide heat and aeration to break down the organic matter. The piles are periodically turned or ‘agitated’ to ensure all parts of the decomposing material reach the desired stability.

Long, narrow rows of organic waste material being turned over by a big machine as part of windrow composting system.Long, narrow rows of organic waste material being turned over by a big machine as part of windrow composting system.
Source: https://thinkviably.com/

Aerated Static Pile (ASP) Composting

Aerated Static Pile (ASP) composting uses a combination of air and microbial activity (like bacteria and fungi). In ASP composting, decomposing organic material is placed in piles over an air supply system that can be used to supply oxygen and control temperature. Sometimes, the compost piles are placed over pipes to help stimulate airflow. 

Piles must be insulated to ensure that all parts of the decomposing material reach and maintain temperatures at or above 55°C for a minimum of three days.

A drawing of an aerated static pile, showing the piles of compost, airflow, exhaust fan, filter pile for screened compost and pipes.A drawing of an aerated static pile, showing the piles of compost, airflow, exhaust fan, filter pile for screened compost and pipes.

In-Vessel Composting

As the name suggests, in-vessel composting is a Process in which decomposing organic material is enclosed in a drum, silo, bin, tunnel, or other container for the purpose of producing compost.

This method offers greater control over the composting process, temperature, moisture and air-borne emissions. With greater control, there’s a more consistent and efficient composting process, and odours are often minimised.

A large in-vessel WasteMaster composting unit, with a person wearing high vis operating the pump.A large in-vessel WasteMaster composting unit, with a person wearing high vis operating the pump.
Source: https://www.greenecotec.com/

Anaerobic Digestion Composting

Anaerobic digestion is when organic matter breaks down without using oxygen. It produces biogas and nutrient-rich digestate, where the end-product can be sed in biogas plants to generate renewable energy and organic fertilisers. An exciting opportunity!

A large anaerobic digestion composting facilityA large anaerobic digestion composting facility

Insect Processing Units

Insect processing units, like GoTerra, are becoming increasingly popular. 

GoTerra uses revolutionary modular, autonomous technology powered by insects that consume food waste! The composting conditions inside these units are controlled for faster break down, while limiting odours and helping with pest control. 

The GoTerra Modula waste management unitsThe GoTerra Modula waste management units
Source: https://goterra.au/food-waste-management/

How To Know Which Composting Method To Use for Packaging or Products – Home or Industrial?

There are a lot of packaging products and materials on the market today that require industrial composting conditions to break down. So, it’s important to check which compost certification each product holds before disposing of it. 

There are two types of compostable logos you need to look for: home (AS5810 and NF T51-800 ) and industrially (AS4736 and EN13432) compostable logos. 

To check if a product is certified, look for one of these two logos AND the company’s sub-licence number stated underneath.

This will ultimately tell you how to dispose of each compostable product.

the industrially compostable logo showing the certification type and BioPak company licence number. It’s a seedling with two leaves.the industrially compostable logo showing the certification type and BioPak company licence number. It’s a seedling with two leaves.

Industrially Compostable (AS4736 and EN13432)

the home compostable logo showing the certification type and BioPak company licence number. It’s a home compost bin.the home compostable logo showing the certification type and BioPak company licence number. It’s a home compost bin.

Home Compostable (AS5810)

the European home compostable logo showing the certification type and BioPak company licence number. It’s a home compost bin.the European home compostable logo showing the certification type and BioPak company licence number. It’s a home compost bin.

Home Compostable (NFT51-800)

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