Green Cone Frequently Asked Questions
IMAGE: A green Green Cone food-waste digester stands in a garden flowerbed, surrounded by soil and flowering plants.
Why should I use the Green Cone System?
Because this solar-heated unit is designed to get rid of all food waste with little effort from you. And, once food waste is kept separate, remaining household waste is clean and dry and therefore much easier to recycle. There is also less waste for Councils to collect, plus your food scraps won't be put into landfill sites that cause the production of methane gas. In other words, use the Green Cone System and you'll be really helping the environment.
How easy is my Green Cone System to use?
Very. Fill the Green Cone Kitchen Caddy with organic kitchen waste. Then shake a little Green Cone Accelerator Powder over the waste and empty the caddy into the Green Cone in your garden.
Where should I put the Green Cone itself?
In a sunny, close-to-hand spot like a flowerbed or a vegetable plot. NB: Do not put your Green Cone in a cold, dark, wet place or it will not work.
Is it good for my garden?
Yes! Food waste is broken down into water, carbon dioxide and a small amount of nutrient-rich liquid which seeps into the soil.
What exactly is Green Cone Accelerator Powder and when should I use it?
Naturally occurring harmless bacteria, on a cereal base, formulated to give an optimum mix of bacterial types to help your Green Cone break down fibre and fat in food waste. Sprinkle a little of it daily on food waste in your Kitchen Caddy in particular when you first start using your Green Cone and in the winter months.
Can I use a chemical activator as well?
No. Chemicals can kill or disrupt the bacteria breaking down the food waste.
What can go into my Green Cone?
Any cooked and uncooked food, including meat, fish, bones, bread, dairy products, vegetables, fruit, tea bags and egg shells.
What can't go in?
Anything other than food waste, such as glass, plastic, paper, wood, straw and metal. Do not put household disinfectants, bleaches or any chemicals into your cone either as they will stop your Green Cone from working.
Can I use my Green Cone to dispose of animal excrement?
Yes, in moderation. But, when you come to empty the cone, take care to wear gloves and make sure you wash your hands afterwards.
Can I put garden waste in my Green Cone too?
It is better not to. A compost bin or heap is better at handling garden waste such as grass cuttings.
Then why don't I just use a compost bin for my food waste too?
Because a compost bin has air-holes to stop garden waste becoming slimy or smelly. So, if you put in cooked food or raw meat and fish, these holes will let out smells that attract vermin and flies. Furthermore, the design of the Green Cone makes it much more efficient at breaking down food waste such as bones, than the traditional composter.
Do I have to turn or mix the contents of my Green Cone?
No, just put all your food waste into the cone and forget it. Your Green Cone does all the hard work for you.
Will my Green Cone work all year round?
Yes. Your Green Cone, using solar heat, works 365 days a year. The level of food waste may rise during winter but should drop down again once the weather gets warmer.
When and how should I empty my Green Cone?
Every year or so if the residual level of compost in the lower basket rises and remains above ground level without dropping. Simply take off the upper cones, remove the top layer of waste and dig the rest into your garden. Return the top layer of waste to the basket and replace the upper cases.
What comes out of my Green Cone?
Very little, but any residue that is left is rich in nutrients and can be dug into your garden.
Will my Green Cone get smelly when the lid's closed?
Not if your Green Cone is installed correctly and the top of the cone and the lid are kept clean.
Will it encourage scavengers or vermin?
The design of the Green Cone ensures that the food waste is broken down in the digestion chamber, which is below ground level. If the Green Cone is installed correctly, with the soil just covering the bottom of the green outer cone, foxes, rats and other animals will not be attracted.
What about flies and maggots then?
Your Green Cone is sealed above ground to prevent them getting in. You certainly won't be pestered by large flies unless a) you let the outside soil level drop below the top of the black basket or b) you put in food contaminated with fly eggs or maggots. Most fruit peelings contain fruit fly eggs so unfortunately these small flies cannot be avoided. However, they are not harmful although they can be a nuisance. If they become a nuisance use a household fly spray or organic fly killer. Green Cone sells a range of suitable products.
Will my Green Cone work in clay or chalk soil?
The Green Cone requires air to flow through the waste into the surrounding soil. If you live in an area of heavy clay or chalk the performance of your Green Cone will be greatly improved if, when installing it, you make the hole 8" deeper and wider and fill the extra space with a mixture of shingle/small stones/top soil, etc to aid drainage.
How do I clean the caddy?
The charcoal filter should be removed, the section holding the filter easily snaps on and off and the caddy should be hand washed in warm soapy water.
Why is there a bar across the top of the Green Cone?
The bar across the mouth of the Green Cone provides some rigidity in storage and transit. Its original purpose was to prevent small children climbing into the Green Cone. Turning the new catch on the lid now serves the same purpose and the bar may safely be removed to allow large scraps and carcasses to be put into the Green Cone easily.
How It Works
IMAGE: A cross-sectional diagram of the Green Cone shows sunlight above the cone, a removable lid, a 70cm height measurement for the above-ground cone, a 60cm width measurement near its base, and a 42cm measurement for the below-ground digestion chamber. Arrows show material and airflow moving outward through the surrounding soil. The labels inside the diagram read: “70cm”, “60cm”, and “42cm”.
Sunlight provides energy source for cone.
Accelerator powder enhances breakdown of food waste.
Double-walled solar cone creates a heat trap of circulating air to encourage bacteria growth. Also insulates waste in winter.
Removable top section for easy access to digestion chamber.
Digestion chamber enables aerobic condition to be created.
Also reduces methane production.
Water evaporates from food waste for aerobic composting without turning.
Soil filters out smells and prevents access by flies.
Rich soil conditioner seeps into surrounding ground.
Natural micro-organisms and worms migrate freely in and out of basket and break down the waste.
Over 90% of the waste material in your Green Cone will be absorbed as water by the soil.