Compo-Flow

What it does

Compo-Flow is a smart, stackable composting system that filters waste and monitors conditions in real time. It solves issues like bad smells, pests, and slow decomposition, helping users produce clean, usable compost easily at home.

Your inspiration

My motivation for Compo-Flow came from my own personal experience i.e. my own composting efforts that failed, resulting in bad smells, pests, and unusable compost. This made me realise how common these issues are and how they discourage people from composting. With growing concerns about food waste and interest in sustainable living, I saw an opportunity to design a smarter, more user-friendly composting solution that makes the process easier, cleaner, and more effective.

How it works

It uses layered sieve-style trays to separate compost as it breaks down. Fresh waste i.e. green and brown material goes in the top tray seperator, and as it decomposes, finer material filters through each layer, helping produce rich, usable compost with minimal effort. A solar-powered probe monitors key conditions like temperature and moisture, sending real-time data to a mobile app that offers guidance on when to mix, add materials, or harvest. RFID sensors are built into each tray, allowing the probe to identify which level it’s in and adjust readings accordingly, giving users more accurate feedback throughout the composting process. By addressing common composting issues like smell, pests, and poor breakdown, Compo-Flow combines sustainable design with smart technology to help reduce household food waste and encourage better composting habits at home.

Design process

The design process for Compo-Flow followed a Double Diamond approach, aligned with composting phases. It began with identifying key composting issues like odors, pests, and poor decomposition backed up through personal experience and user research. Market and competitor analysis highlighted a gap for an accessible, smart composting solution. Early concept development explored features like rotating paddles and iris mechanisms, but user testing revealed usability issues. The design shifted to a modular sieve tray system, which allows compost to filter down as it matures. A solar-powered probe was developed using an Arduino, DHT11 sensor, Bluetooth, and RFID technology to track conditions and tray position, sending real-time data to an app. The project included several rounds of 1:5 scale 3D printed prototypes, foam form modelling, and the construction of a full-scale test rig to simulate real compost flow. The final design package included this rig, an aesthetic 1:5 model, a 1:3 probe aesthetic model, and a set of interactive app wireframes, together demonstrating the product’s function, form, and smart capability.

How it is different

Compo-Flow stands out by combining smart technology with a layered, sieve-based composting system in a compact, user-friendly design. Unlike traditional compost bins, it separates compost as it matures, reducing the need for constant turning or manual sorting. The integration of a solar-powered probe with RFID tray detection allows the system to deliver precise, real-time data for each composting stage via a mobile app. While many composting solutions are either low-tech and prone to failure or high-end and expensive, bridging the gap by offering an affordable, accessible way to compost effectively. It also focuses on addressing user pain points like bad smells, pests, and inconsistent results through guided, app-based support. Its modular design allows it to scale with user needs, making it suitable for different household sizes.

Future plans

I plan to develop a full-scale, working version of the monitoring probe, refining it into a fully functional device. Based on feedback, I aim to update the design adjusting tray sizes, specifically the top tray seperator, handle placement, and improving the product's smart identity. I will build a full-scale composter model for real-world testing over a 6-month composting cycle to gather long-term performance data. The goal is to use these insights to refine the system further and hopefully kickstart Compo-Flow as a manufacturable product with real market potential.

Awards