The Bedminster composting process takes advantage of the high quality separation achieved in the Digester drum where 95% of the BioMass in the delivered waste is separated to achieve a homogenous product with extremely low levels of contamination.

The now homogenised organic rich “Unders” are formed into windrows in the fully enclosed Maturation Hall. Here the material spends 21 days being aerated and systematically turned. Monitoring ensures that the material is turned at least 3 times at no less than 2 days intervals attaining a minimum temperature of 60°C (140°F) between turnings to ensure that the final compost is fully sanitised.

< View compost process diagram here >

After 21 days on the aeration floor, the matured compost is passed through a final screening stage consisting of a vibratory screen followed by an air classifier destoner. The vibratory screen removes any larger inorganic particles such as glass and stones to allow the air classifier to remove any residual inorganic fines. Further open-air maturation can be carried out at this stage if required. The residues from final screening typically contain gravel, stones and glass and could be used as a secondary aggregate.