We boast another successful collaboration! Interzero implements Oklin composters in the City of Sopot

In the Sopot collective catering establishments stood modern electric composters Oklin GG02, which convert catering waste into a valuable fertiliser - pre-compost. The implementation of the 21 units is result of the cooperation between Interzero and the City of Sopot, which has been applying innovations in waste management and actively working towards sustainable development and GOZ.

We have installed Oklin compact composters in 3 kindergartens, 5 schools, an orphanage and a nursing home. They enable Sopot establishments to process kitchen waste at source, reducing costs and time-consuming operations related to their segregation, storage and collection. The whole project is also part of in the development strategy of the city of Sopot, which aims, among other things, to ensure environmental security for residents by improving the quality of the waste management system and increasing separate collection.

From inspiration to implementation - the Environmental Conference as a prelude to fruitful cooperation

The impetus for action came from discussions with local government representatives held in connection with the organisation of the 2024 Environmental Conference and during the event itself, which was held under the honorary patronage of the Mayor of the City of Sopot. It was there Participants and invited guests could not only familiarize themselves with the Interzero eco-equipment range, but also to test them and discover the practical aspects of their operation. There, the decision was made - let's work together for a world without waste!

Preparation of an individual offer for the City of Sopot and the sales of Oklin GG02 composters were handled by Jarosław Dymek, Interzero Service Coordinator, who also oversaw the implementation and installation of the equipment in the Sopot facilities. Undoubtedly the success of the whole project has attracted the interest of the national media - You could hear about electric composters for example in the programme Czysta Polska on Polsat News and read in an article published by the website Green INTERIA.

Oklin electric composters in local government catering facilities

The subject of the collaboration with the City of Sopot was Oklin compact electric composters for smaller businesses, catering establishments and households. They take up little space and are simple to operate and maintain, while being very efficient. After a 2-week start-up period, each GG02 composter can process up to 4-5 kg of food waste per day.

From the perspective of the employees of the catering facilities in Sopot, an important benefit is the following no segregation of food waste - The Oklin GG02 composters process not only biowaste, but also meat, small bones, fish, eggshells, leftovers from meals (e.g. soups, sauces, stews, salads), dairy products and even biodegradable PLA/CPLA items and compostable disposable utensils.

„We can put all the leftovers from dinner in here. We don't have to throw them in the bin, we just recycle them. After a day, they make great compost.” - says Justyna Gazda from the Sopot DPS in the programme Czysta Polska on Polsat News.

The equipment is fully compliant with legislation and the HACCP system. The automated composting process takes an average of 24 hours - during which time the the volume of kitchen waste is reduced by up to 85-90%.

„From 5 kg of meal waste, about 300 g of good compost can be obtained in 24 hours.” - summarises the Deputy Mayor of Sopot, Michał Banacki, in an interview with Polsat News.

Cooperation between Interzero and the City of Sopot on the way to GOZ

Implementation of electric composters in facilities managed by the local authority has enabled Sopot to take the next step towards creating a local circular economy.

The Oklin GG02 devices installed in the Sopot facilities allow:

• processing of food waste on site,
• reducing the environmental footprint of food waste (no need for transport, sorting, composting, digestion or other management methods),
• reducing the weight of landfilled waste,
• the rapid conversion of waste into a valuable product that can be used as a natural fertiliser.

„We have a huge recreational area here, a garden and a patio, so we have somewhere to dump it all,” says Ilona Gajewska, deputy director of the Social Care Home in Sopot, which received two Oklin GG02 composters.

The use of the recycled waste product has enabled Sopot's facilities to create their own closed-loop circuits and opened the way for the local government to reduce waste management costs and move closer to meeting recycling and landfill targets.

„Less waste goes to landfill, which means that there is also a reduction in the cost of waste disposal”. - admits vice-president Michal Banacki.

A number of tangible benefits from the implementation of our Oklin GG02 composters led the City of Sopot to also encourage its residents to invest in similar equipment. Individuals and entrepreneurs can count on a grant for the purchase of such a composter, which is paid from the municipal budget. In addition, they receive a reduction in the waste collection fees payable to all property owners who have a composter (traditional or electric).

For the time being, however, only those with single-family houses will benefit. As Anna Wołodźko, director of the municipal economy department at the municipal office in Gdańsk, emphasised in her statement for Polsat News, it may not be long before the residents of multi-family houses will also benefit in a similar way:

„There is an amendment to the law in play, which includes the possibility of composting in multi-dwelling developments.”

Before the first cycle, it is necessary to activate the Acidulo™ micro-organisms contained in the package included with the unit. Once they have been thoroughly mixed with water, the Oklin GG02 is ready to go. To start composting, pour the kitchen waste into the hopper and close the lid tightly. Further stages of the process are automatic - the unit sets the blades in motion to slowly mix the food scraps with the sawdust containing Acidulo™ micro-organisms. Continuous mixing allows the load to heat evenly and speeds up the composting process. Approximately 24 hours after loading, the food waste is transformed into raw pre-compost - a light, dry fertiliser with a slightly acidic smell and a consistency similar to fine sawdust or dried coffee grounds. It can be used in horticulture when mixed with soil or leaves at a ratio of 1 part pre-compost to 10 parts soil or leaves.

The Oklin GG02 electric composter is designed for use indoors or under a canopy. A 230V electrical outlet is necessary for the installation of the unit. The outlet hose discharging the air with steam must be connected to a sewer drain (behind the trap), to a ventilation system or led outside the room. The unit operates continuously - once composting is complete, it automatically enters energy-saving mode to reduce power consumption and to keep it ready to process further batches of food waste.