A San Francisco Start

Back in 2002, San Francisco began giving away green bins for free home compost collection. Composting became mandatory in 2009 for all city residents. But the process of collecting and storing kitchen compost scraps for weekly pickup was messy. Many well-intending residents collected their home compost in plastic bags, which defeats the whole purpose. Others opted for backyard compost bins, compost tumblers, and worm composting, but those require constant maintenance and care. "There's got to be a better way!" thought Russ Cohn. The MIT-trained engineer and garage tinkerer vowed to find a better way to make compost.

A Chance Discovery

Then a funny thing happened. Russ went on vacation without emptying the kitchen compost bin. A nasty surprise awaited his return — the smell, the flies, and a very unpleasant clean-up job.

While grudgingly cleaning the kitchen compost bin, he noticed it was warm. Microorganisms were hard at work! The composting process had already begun. Just a little more oxygen, some mixing, insulation, and a powerful air filter would accelerate the composting process and eliminate odors. Dozens of prototypes and patents later, the NatureMill home kitchen compost bin was born.

We're up to great things. Just watch us. Someday everyone in the world will make compost, and what a difference that will make.

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