For more information, write or call:

TECHNOLOGICAL SERVICES DIVISION

Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI-DOST)
Telefax: 837-2071 loc. 2265 / 837-6156
e-mail: tsd@itdi.dost.gov.ph
 ISSN 1656 – 6831

Livelihood Technology Series 74

ITDI-DOST
Household
Tumbling
Composter

Department of Science and Technology

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
DOST Compound, General Santos Avenue
Bicutan, TaguigCity, Metro Manila, PHILIPPINES
http://www.itdi.dost.gov.ph

‘Our Business is Industry…”

1st edition 2020

Prepared by: ELNILA C. ZALAMEDA

TSD-ITDI

MYRA L. TANSENGCO, Ph D.
EBD-ITDI

Edited by: VIOLETA A. CONOZA

TSD-ITDI

Cover layout by: LUZMIN R. ESTEBAN

TSD-ITDI

Adviser: NELIA ELISA C. FLORENDO

TSD-ITDI
 Livelihood Technology Series 74
ITDI-DOST Household Tumbling Composter

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This brochure was made possible through

the research efforts of the Environment and
Biotechnology Division (EBD), ITDI-DOST.
 ITDI-DOST
HOUSEHOLD TUMBLING COMPOSTER
The ITDI-DOST household tumbling composter is a solid
waste management technology developed for utilizing
household kitchen waste into compost or soil conditioner. The
tumbling composter was developed to help manage the
biodegradable waste generated at household level considering
that a large portion of municipal solid wastes came from
residential source and that more than 50% of generated solid
waste is organic.

The household tumbling composter is composed of two (2)

30L drums as the composters. The drum body is lined with
holes for aeration. At the bottom of each drum is a discharge
tray for harvesting of product. Householders just need to load
their daily kitchen waste into the composter, add dry materials
as carbon source, then tumble the composter to mix the
content.

Each composter drum can carry about 10 kg organic waste.

When one drum is full, the other drum is then used for daily
loading of kitchen waste. Drum content can be harvested after
6 to 8 weeks. These raw compost is then kept in sacks for at
least 2 to 4 weeks for further maturation. The finish product
can then be used for backyard gardening.

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INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE-DOST
Advantages of using the household tumbling
composter
o Utilize kitchen waste into compost for backyard gardening
o Comply with Republic Act 9003
 Waste segregation at source
 Composting of biodegradable waste
o Does not attract pests (rats, cockroaches, flies, etc.)
and avoid disturbance by house pets
o Easy to operate and maintain

Materials for household composting

Raw materials for household composting basically follow the

typical composting mixture, which is a combination of wet and
dry waste. Wet waste or the “greens” are nitrogen rich
sources. This may include left-over food, vegetable scraps,
and fruit peelings. Dry materials are added as carbon source
for decomposers, and to adjust the moisture content of the
mixture. Dry waste may include dry yard waste, sawdust, or
coco coir dust.

It is recommended to always chop

the kitchen waste and dry materials
to speed-up the decomposition
process in the composter. Scissors
or knife and chopping board can be
used for manual chopping of
organic materials.

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INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE-DOST
Inoculant, which can be obtained from an existing compost
pile, is added at the initial loading in each drum.

Procedure for Household Composting

1. Load the organic waste – fresh kitchen waste is daily
loaded in the composter. Then, 3 to 4 layers of dry waste
is added.
2. Tumble the drum to mix – Tumble
the composter 8 to 10 times to mix the
drum content. Add a layer of dry
waste on top.
With daily loading, one drum will be full
within three weeks. Once the first
drum is full, the other drum is then
used for loading of household kitchen
waste. The content of the first drum is
unloaded when the second drum is full.
3. Harvest the product – To unload,
the composter is turned upside down
and the materials are collected in the
discharge tray.
4. Curing – Harvested raw compost are
kept in sacks for further maturation for
at least two to four weeks.

5. Sieving – mature compost are sieved to remove large

particles. Fine product can be used for backyard gardening.
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INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE-DOST
 Site Requirement for
Household Tumbling Composter

 A covered or shaded area

 At least 1 cu. m.
 Flat ground
 Not prone to flooding

Accessories to household composting

Sieving tray

Garden tools
(hand rake, hand shovel)

Sacks

 Heavy duty scissors or knife

and chopping board
 Cleaning tools (broomstick
and dust pan)

 Personal hygiene supplies

(hand soap, 70% alcohol)

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INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE-DOST