Composting has been around for centuries, but in recent years it’s getting a modern makeover. Instead of just tossing food scraps in a backyard pile, people now have access to high-tech bins, mobile apps, and even smart city solutions that make composting easier, faster, and cleaner.
With food waste making up over 30% of what we throw away in the U.S., and with methane emissions from landfills contributing heavily to climate change, the need for smarter composting solutions has never been greater. Luckily, compost tech is stepping in to bridge the gap between convenience and sustainability.
At Repurpose, we’re passionate about simple, planet-friendly solutions. Today, technology is helping more people join the compost movement. Here’s your complete guide to the world of compost tech: from apps that keep you motivated, to smart bins that handle the dirty work, to innovations happening at the city level.
1. Composting Apps: Tracking Your Impact in Real Time
Most of us use apps every day to track our workouts, monitor spending, or even order dinner. Now, composting apps are helping people stay accountable to their waste-reduction goals.
Here are a few leading apps changing the game:
MakeSoil & Peels – These apps connect people without compost bins with neighbors, community gardens, or local businesses that have them. Think of it as a compost version of ride-sharing: you create less waste, and someone else benefits from the compost.
Lomi App – Designed to pair with the Lomi countertop composter, this app tracks how much food waste you’ve diverted, how much soil you’ve created, and even calculates your carbon footprint savings.
JouleBug – An employee engagement app that educates and mobilizes your people to take action toward your company’s sustainability goals.
ScrapCycle – A smaller but growing app that helps households log their scraps and estimate how much waste they’ve kept out of landfills.
-
Why it matters: Composting apps make the invisible visible. You get instant feedback on how much impact you’re making, which keeps motivation high. You are also actively engaging within people around you to help strengthen the community.
2. Smart Compost Bins: Composting Without the Mess
Traditional composting is effective but not always practical. For people in apartments or busy households, the process can feel intimidating. Enter: smart compost bins.
These sleek devices use heat, grinding, and sometimes even microbial processes to turn food scraps into nutrient-rich soil amendments, often in less than 24 hours.
Some of the top players include:
Lomi by Pela: A stylish countertop composter that breaks down food scraps, yard waste, and even certified compostable products. And here’s the best part: Repurpose tableware is officially Lomi-approved, meaning our cups, plates, and cutlery can safely go right into your Lomi bin along with food scraps. In less than a day, you’ll have nutrient-rich dirt you can use in your garden or houseplants.
Sepura: Installed directly under your kitchen sink, Sepura automatically sorts out compostable waste from other trash, keeping your kitchen clean and hands-free.
Mill Kitchen Bin: A subscription-based service that sends households a high-tech bin which dehydrates and grinds food scraps into "food grounds." These are collected and reused as animal feed.
Vitamix FoodCycler: A compact device that dries and grinds food waste into a fine, odorless byproduct that can be used in gardening soil.
-
Why it matters: Smart bins make composting accessible for people without outdoor space, eliminate odor concerns, and create a routine that fits seamlessly into modern kitchens.
3. Beyond the Home: Compost Tech at the Community and City Level
It’s not just individuals who are benefiting from compost technology; entire cities are adopting smarter systems to handle organic waste.
Smart Bins with Sensors – Some municipalities are piloting compost bins equipped with fill-level sensors. This data helps cities optimize pickup schedules, reduce collection costs, and prevent waste overflow.
Community Compost Hubs – Apps like the ones mentioned earlier and projects like CompostNow in the Southeast U.S. or BK ROT in Brooklyn are using digital platforms to connect communities with local compost processing centers.
AI in Compost Sorting – Some industrial composting facilities are testing AI-powered robots that can automatically sort compostable items from trash, reducing contamination and increasing efficiency.
-
Why it matters: Scaling composting beyond the individual level is essential for systemic impact. Tech makes it possible to process more organic waste efficiently and integrate composting into everyday city life.
4. Getting Started: Which Compost Tech Is Right for You?
If you’re new to composting, here’s a quick guide to help you find your fit:
- For beginners: Download apps to start diverting food scraps immediately.
- For small spaces: Invest in a countertop smart bin like Lomi (especially if you want a solution that works with Repurpose tableware).
- For eco-gadget lovers, consider tech-integrated systems like Sepura or Mill.
- For outdoor space: Traditional compost piles or tumblers are still effective (and low-cost) all while apps can help you stay on track.
- No matter your living situation, there’s a compost tech solution that fits your lifestyle.
Compost tech is reshaping the way we think about food waste. From apps that track your progress, to smart bins like Lomi that handle the heavy lifting, to city-wide systems that scale impact, technology is making composting more accessible, convenient, and impactful than ever before.
At the end of the day, whether you’re using a high-tech composter or a simple backyard pile, the goal is the same: keeping valuable organic material out of landfills and giving it back to the earth.
Ready to join the compost revolution? Start with Repurpose, because Compostable Products + Compost Tech: The Perfect Pair 💚 High-tech bins and apps are amazing tools but what you put into them matters just as much. Together, we can turn waste into something wonderful.
shop all
