To turn old scraps of food into fertilizer usually takes a lot of patience. Most people just throw out their leftover fruit and vegetable skins without even entertaining this eco-friendlier option.
But making fertilizer at home just became a whole lot easier. On Friday, Whirlpool Corporation announced the release of its Zera™ Food Recycler. The system, designed by WLabs, is available for pre-order on Indiegogo and will soon be available via retail.
“Zera™ Food Recycler brings a purposeful innovation to consumer kitchens, and delivers on an increasing demand for more environmentally-driven solutions for the home,” said Jennifer Bonuso, Senior Director of CPG & WLabs in a press release.
The system is a first of its kind in the states. Within one week, it breaks down a week’s worth of food waste. It’s also conveniently sized, and can be placed right next to a kitchen counter so consumers can brush in food scraps right away.
How can it decompose food so quickly?
The unique appliance manages a combination of factors that speed up the process. Oxygen, moisture, heat, and mixing allow the appliance to rapidly turn your waste into fertilizer. Unlike compost piles or other systems, the Zera™ can be used year-round since you use it inside your home. In addition, consumers can control the the appliance remotely by using a mobile app.
Screenshot of ZeraTM Food Recycler on Indiegogo.
“We know Americans are looking for easier, more efficient ways to recycle food scraps, and the Zera™ system makes that possible,” said Bonuso. “We’re excited to bring this offering to consumers and Indiegogo is a great platform to do so, allowing us to connect with consumers in a new and compelling way.”
Whirlpool commissioned a study on American patterns of food waste and found the average family throws out about 400 pounds of uneaten food each year. Strikingly, this waste makes up about 20 percent of landfills in the states. It doesn’t have to be this way, though. Food scraps can be managed to reduce waste in landfills and used as fertilizer instead. Now, the whole process has become easier and more accessible.
But why would such a big, well-known company like Whirlpool Corporation release something on Indiegogo?
In fact, this isn’t the first time Whirlpool Corporation has released a product through the crowdfunding platform. They also released their Vessi™ Beer Fermentor and Dispenser on Indiegogo earlier this year.
Doing so helps Whirlpool get feedback for their new systems and tap into a global community of backers. Those who help fund the Zera™ receive some benefits as well: The first 50 backers get a discount. Instead of paying the $1,999 retail price, they will receive it for $699.
“The value for companies like Whirlpool Corporation using Indiegogo isn’t simply being able to raise funds through the platform,” said Slava Rubin, founder and Chief Business Officer of Indiegogo, “but being able to connect directly with its customers and receive immediate feedback on new products.”
Aside from Indiegogo, the Zera™ Food Recycler will be available in test markets at select retailers such as Treehouse in Texas, Abt in Illinois, and Williams-Sonoma in California.
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How can buy it or even sell it. My name is Judie from the Philippines
Organic waste is a huge problem in the waste industry for multiple reasons. One of the most difficult hurdles for home composting systems is the mixing plant waste and proteins like eggs, cheese, and meats. This solution seems to remove the issue entirely, but at the inconvenient cost of needing to add a plant based additive – undoubtedly have either or possibly both microbial bacteria or enzyme accelerators. A delicate balance of making it too costly when requiring the additive to what is an already pricey solution for most. This is unfortunately, something that not everyone is even aware of as an issue. Kudos, though this is innovative and forward thinking, hoping Whirlpool aspires to have it be scalable to handle restaurants, cafeterias, etc. If you are here reading this you are likely already receptive to this concept (great), but the bigger issue is reaching those uninformed or selectively ignorant and making it relevant for them! Sadly they would have a backyard that backs up to landfill for that to occur!!
LOL Please take my money!! Here you go, here’s my $1200. Oh, yeah and money for the plant based additive for every time you want to make a bucket of compost.
This is a big black box (well in a shiny white package) with a very steep price tag. I have a NatureMill at a third the cost and without the ongoing ‘plant based additive’ expense. Its been running constantly for 4 years without any issues.
It’s truly amazing & need of the hour too. I’m interested to know further about this.
I would be interested in trying this.
Would love to try it
Looking forward to buy this product!
Very excited to see the potential of this product
I am really amazed with this product. Nowadays we really need something that will help us in reducing the wastes materials from our daily usage. I hope that someday soon I could have one so I can spread the goodness and benefits of it. I am from the Philippines. Thank You ???????????? Great Product!!
I am really amazed with this product. Nowadays we really need something that will help us in reducing the wastes materials from our daily usage. I hope that someday soon I could have one so I can spread the goodness and benefits it. I am from the Philippines. Thank You ???????????? Great Product!!
Interesting. We garden and throw a lot of waste away this would be fun to try and see how it works
and do you have to keep buying these mystery packages for every time you make a little soil?
what exactly is the process?
what exactly is in this ‘plant-based additive package’?
very important information when letting a giant company’s appliance supposedly make an easy and natural process for your food and soil faster and more expensive
Agree!
I am interested also.
Hi I am excited about this food recycler too. Up to now I take vegetable waste, put it in the blender with water and then throw it over the lawn. I saw at the end of their video that it’s sold at Williams-Sonoma.
Seems amazing. I am interested in purchasing this food recycler and consider promoting it.