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The startup Mill, founded by Matt Rogers and Harry Tannenbaum, has developed an unprecedented kitchen bin. According to the inventors, they have found the perfect solution for food waste disposal. This smart container dries, compresses, and sends the waste to the developing company, where the transformed waste is given a new purpose.
The idea for this unusual bin came to Rogers and Tannenbaum at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Stuck at home, they were forced to “look at their trash and smell it.” Eventually, they became literally obsessed with finding a new way to dispose of waste that aligned with modern environmental trends.
Before long, Mill introduced a low-energy consumption container that offered a new approach to tackling any food waste.
How It Works
Initially, the smart bin slowly heats and mixes the waste before dehydrating and compressing it. This technology allows users to empty their trash less frequently.
Interestingly, during its operation, no unpleasant odors escape. Even when the food waste is being heated.
The evaporated water and air from the container pass through an odor control system with a charcoal filter, after which the air is expelled through an exhaust fan at the back of the device.
After a few weeks, when the bin is full, the user pours the resulting mixture into a special box and orders a prepaid delivery to Mill.
This process serves as an alternative to the costly disposal of food scraps in landfills and composting, as reported by Dezeen.
It’s worth noting that the design of the bin is simple and minimalist. The “brain” of the gadget—a control panel with an LED display—is hidden under a wooden veneer lid to avoid drawing unnecessary attention.
A New Life for Waste
Now, the startup is exploring as many options as possible for reusing the recycled food waste. Currently, the company is working on a project to turn the compressed mass into an ingredient for chicken feed.
Mill’s goal is to keep food scraps within the food system and use them in the most efficient and resource-saving way.
The inventors believe that the worst outcome is when food ends up in a landfill. Not only because valuable nutrients and resources used for its cultivation and logistics are wasted, but also because harmful methane is released in the process.
By the way, methane accounts for about 20 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
The eco-friendly containers from Mill, which recently began production, are currently available only in the United States.
Among other notable innovations in waste disposal in recent years is the Townew trash can, which automatically packs trash into a bag and replaces it with a new one. Additionally, there’s the Taihi trash container, which operates based on a Japanese fermentation method. This useful bin transforms waste into compost and fertilizers.
