How to Build an Organic Fertilizer Plant Using Food Waste
- Nancy Ju
- Oct 27
- 4 min read
Food waste is a growing global problem — but it can also be an opportunity. With proper treatment, leftover food, vegetable scraps, and organic residues can be turned into valuable fertilizer that improves soil and supports sustainable farming. Setting up an organic fertilizer plant using food waste is an effective way to reduce landfill pressure, recycle nutrients, and create green agricultural value.
In this article, we’ll explore how an organic fertilizer plant using food waste works, what equipment is needed, and how manufacturers like LANE Heavy Industry design complete production lines that transform daily waste into high-quality organic fertilizer.
Why Build an Organic Fertilizer Plant Using Food Waste?
Every year, millions of tons of food are wasted around the world. When dumped in landfills, this organic matter decomposes anaerobically and produces methane — a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide.
By establishing an organic fertilizer plant using food waste, cities, farms, and companies can:
Reduce environmental pollution by cutting methane and waste disposal costs.
Recycle nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium back into the soil.
Support circular agriculture, turning waste into resources.
Create new economic value, producing organic fertilizer for sale or internal use.
This approach benefits both the environment and local agriculture, aligning perfectly with global sustainability goals.
Understanding the Process: How Food Waste Becomes Organic Fertilizer
The core idea behind an organic fertilizer plant using food waste is aerobic composting — a controlled biological process where microorganisms break down organic matter into stable, humus-rich fertilizer.
1. Raw Material Collection and Sorting
Collected food waste often contains impurities like plastic, metal, or glass.
The first step is to sort and crush the material using a food waste crusher or organic waste shredder.
Non-biodegradable items are removed, and the organic fraction is stored for processing.
2. Mixing and C/N Adjustment
To ensure proper microbial fermentation, the carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio should be around 25–30:1.
Mix food waste with sawdust, rice husk, or straw powder to balance moisture and structure.
A horizontal mixer or double-shaft mixer is commonly used for even blending.
3. Composting and Fermentation
The mixture is then transferred to the composting area for aerobic fermentation.
LANE Crawler Type Compost Turner or Wheel Type Compost Turner is used to aerate and turn the piles regularly.
Turning ensures even oxygen distribution, keeps the temperature between 55–70°C, and eliminates pathogens and odors.
Fermentation usually takes 15–20 days, depending on climate and raw material composition.
4. Drying and Cooling
After composting, the moisture content is still high (40–50%).
The material passes through a rotary drum dryer to reduce moisture to 15–20%.
Then it goes through a rotary cooler to stabilize temperature and prevent nutrient loss.
5. Screening and Crushing
Dried compost is screened using a rotary drum screener to remove large particles.
Oversized pieces are sent to a chain crusher or semi-wet material crusher for reprocessing.
The fine compost is now ready for granulation or direct bagging.
6. Granulation (Optional)
If the final product is to be in pellet form, a granulator is used.
Flat Die Granulator – ideal for small and medium plants.
Double Roller Granulator – low-temperature process that retains nutrients.
Stirring Tooth Granulator – for uniform, round organic fertilizer pellets.
7. Packaging
Finally, the finished organic fertilizer is weighed and packed using an automatic packaging machine.
Optional bag sewing machine and conveyor system improve efficiency.
Packed fertilizer can then be stored or shipped for sale.
Case Study: Food Waste Composting Project in Indonesia
In 2024, LANE Heavy Industry partnered with a recycling company in East Java, Indonesia, to establish a food waste composting project designed to produce high-quality organic fertilizer. The project aimed to address the growing issue of urban food waste while supporting local agricultural sustainability.
The facility processes food waste collected from restaurants, markets, and hotels. The raw materials are first sorted to remove plastics and metals, then crushed and mixed with rice husk to adjust the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. This preparation ensures balanced moisture and better aeration during composting.
LANE supplied a complete set of equipment for this project, including a crawler type compost turner, rotary drum dryer, flat die granulator, and automatic packaging machine. The compost turner played a key role in maintaining uniform oxygen distribution and temperature control during fermentation.
The aerobic composting process lasts around 18 days, during which temperatures reach 60–70°C — enough to eliminate pathogens and odors. After drying, cooling, and granulating, the final product contains about 45% organic matter and 2.8% nitrogen, making it an excellent organic soil conditioner.
Since operation, the plant has achieved remarkable results. It has reduced landfill waste by more than 70%, improved local soil fertility, and generated stable income from fertilizer sales. Local farmers now use this organic fertilizer to grow vegetables and rice, creating a sustainable cycle between food production and waste recycling.
This project demonstrates how LANE’s food waste composting systems can transform municipal challenges into economic and environmental opportunities, offering a practical model for sustainable waste management in Southeast Asia.
Challenges and Solutions in Food Waste Fertilizer Production
Challenge | Solution |
High moisture content (70–80%) | Use mixing with dry materials or pre-dewatering press |
Strong odor during composting | Use aerobic composting + deodorization system |
Metal or plastic contamination | Add magnetic separator and manual sorting |
Nutrient imbalance | Adjust with straw powder or chicken manure |
Seasonal variation in waste volume | Use modular LANE systems for flexible capacity |
By addressing these issues early, an organic fertilizer plant using food waste can maintain efficient, clean, and profitable operation year-round.
Conclusion
An organic fertilizer plant using food waste is more than just a recycling facility — it’s a complete environmental and agricultural solution. By converting discarded food into nutrient-rich compost, businesses and governments can protect the environment, improve soil health, and promote sustainable farming.
With its advanced equipment, reliable engineering, and rich international experience, LANE Heavy Industry provides full-scale solutions to help clients turn waste into opportunity.
If you’re planning to build a food waste fertilizer plant, LANE’s team can design the ideal system — from compost turners and dryers to granulators and packaging machines — ensuring your project meets environmental standards and delivers lasting economic value.
Email: sales@lanesvc.com
Contact number: +86 13526470520
Whatsapp: +86 13526470520
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