Residential food scraps accounts as a major landfill product that is responsible for 40% of kitchen waste. Reducing these waste products is a goal of EPA by 2030. The objective of this study is to use an accelerated home food scrap composter to encourage residents to reduce waste volume and weight and provide garden compost to produce garden produce and flowers. Two accelerated composters (Lomi and Vego) were evaluated both for their compost soil health, physical and chemical properties after processing kitchen scraps (apples, bread, chicken, coffee, milk, and Irish potatoes). Lomi processed food for 24h only and the Vego composter for 1, 5, and 10 days. Compost volume and weight increased as days of composting increased. Compost health, nutrients, pH, C/N Ratio were suitable for a horticultural growing amendment. Physical components were within normal parameters for a soil substrate. Finer particles were increased with greater days of composting as expected. Plant growth, SPAD readings showed an increase with 5- and 10-days composting. Compost incorporated at 10 % v/v increased petunia biomass. Accelerated composters reduced volume and weight of food scrapes while providing essential plant nutrients.
