Rapid Composting Machines Help U.S. Army Go Green

19 October 2011

Organic food processing and compostable packaging specialist, Totally Green, Inc., has installed two of its ORCA Green Machines for rapid food composting at the U.S. Army base in Fort Hood, Texas.

According to the company, the installations follow its showcase of the ORCA technology at Fort Hood's 11th Annual Garrison Picnic.

Totally Green says that the Army purchased the ORCA1200 Green Machines in order to establish an on-site rapid food composting solution for two of its dining facilities at North Fort Hood. Each dining facility serves approximately 1500 meals a day.

The company says that ORCA technology also allows rapid on-site composting of food into a nutrient-rich grey water that can be used as fertiliser, or disposed of through the ordinary sewer system.

The ORCA1200 features a ½ hp (373 watt) motor with a power consumption of 0.7 kWh to aerobically process up to 1200 lbs (544 kg) of food waste per 24 - 48 hour period.n According to the company, this rapid on-site composting also saves on transportation costs and increases kitchen operational efficiency.

As home to more than 95,000 soldiers, civilian personnel and family members, Fort Hood is one of the U.S. military's largest installations with 10 dining facilities. The ORCA Green Machines will divert food waste from the landfill and reduce methane gas production.

Fort Hood's landfill receives 50 - 70 tons (45 - 64 tonnes) of trash nearly every day.

"Our adoption of the ORCA Green Machine furthers the Army's environmental sustainability initiative to be Net Zero Waste by 2020, and this includes the goal of complete independence from landfill use," comments Randy Doyle, Fort Hood's environment support team supervisor.

Doyle adds that the base is also exploring ways to repurpose excess organic waste for energy generation or composted fertiliser, which presents an opportunity for expanding the use of ORCA technology at Fort Hood as well as at many other military operations.

Totally Green says that it recently completed successful testing periods and subsequent approval of technology for a number of new installations, including one of the world's largest cruise lines and a multi-billion dollar national wholesale club.


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