When organizations consider on-site composting, the conversation often starts with equipment. What size machine should we purchase? How much space will we need? What’s the ROI? While these are valid questions, they only scratch the surface.
The truth is that on-site composting is not a product - it’s a system and implementing this system takes work and the motivation to transform the ways in which waste is handled on site.
A successful composting program integrates people, processes, and infrastructure. It requires commitment from staff, clear protocols, and ongoing monitoring. It’s not something that can be installed and walked away from, and it’s important to understand that it will shift the way operations take place.
On-site composting is a living process that reflects your operational culture and values.
It Starts with your Streams
The foundation of any composting system is the material that goes in. Contamination, whether it's plastics, packaging, or even the wrong types of organic waste (large bones!), can seriously impact the output and performance of your system.
In fact, many product frustrations can be traced back to upstream issues. If materials aren't sorted correctly before they enter the composter, the machine can’t do its job effectively.
This is why we always recommend starting with a waste audit. It helps organizations understand what’s in their organic stream, what’s being missed, and what needs to change before composting begins. Whether you're building from scratch or improving an existing system, clear insight into your waste streams is essential.
Training, Signage, Feedback and Iterative Improvements
Staff training, clear signage, and a shared understanding of why a system is in place are key to successful organics programs. For example: One of the most consistent challenges we see is around the use of bag liners.
We can put up signage, we can train staff not to put bags in the bins, we can tell them not to input totes that have bags, but there’s still a systems problem.
It’s understandable that staff are reluctant to handle messy situations. However, the reality is that bag liners aren’t compatible with on-site composters. They take significantly longer to break down than organic waste, and often end up wrapped around the machine’s shaft, causing maintenance issues and reducing efficiency.
That’s where a tote washing system like the VelociWash tote system comes in. It allows for quick and easy on-site cleaning of unlined organics totes, eliminating the need for bag liners altogether. Not only does this improve the performance of the composter, but it also reduces the labour required to clean bins by hand—making life easier for staff and keeping the system running smoothly.
What Works in the Field for On-site Composting
From working with a range of clients, here’s what we’ve seen lead to successful composting programs:
Progressive implementation
Start small and slowly implement changes. Many sites begin with back-of-house organics (from kitchens, food vendors, etc.) before expanding to tenants and front-of-house areas where post-consumer waste is more complex. This phased approach allows staff and tenants to gradually adapt.
Integrated training
Staff interacting with the system need to know how it works, how to maintain it, and why it matters. Early and ongoing training prevents misuse, reduces frustration, and boosts long-term success.
Designated on-site leaders
Having a few trained staff who oversee the entire composting system leads to better consistency. Too many people involved without clear responsibilities can lead to process breakdowns.
Communicating your story
When waste disappears into a truck and no one sees what happens next, skepticism sets in. On-site composting creates transparency. Staff, tenants, and even customers can see the system working—and it creates a shared sense of ownership. This visibility drives better habits and encourages source separation and contamination reduction.
A Cultural Shift
Implementing on-site composting successfully requires more than logistics—it requires a shift in mindset. It asks teams to think differently about waste, ownership, and responsibility. It requires champions inside the organization and support from leadership. The most successful programs are those that treat composting not as a checkbox but as a cornerstone of their sustainability journey.
Mapleview Shopping Centre is a great example of this cultural shift. You can read their success story and more about their process here.
