Composting device

Abstract

The present invention provides a composting device, in particular an under-sink composting device configured to be operably coupled with a garbage disposer. The composting device comprises a waste separator used for separating solid waste and liquid in the organic waste. The composting device disclosed by the invention can be connected to the garbage disposer below the water tank, and can be used for treating organic wastes in a relatively environment-friendly manner.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 526,926 filed on July 14, 2023, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates generally to a composting apparatus and, more particularly, to a composting apparatus coupled to an under-sink garbage disposal. Background Art

[0004] In a typical kitchen, organic waste, such as food scraps, is often generated. This organic waste is often thrown into a trash can or discharged into a drain through a garbage disposal under the sink. Therefore, it is desirable to dispose of this organic waste in a more environmentally friendly manner, such as by composting. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a composting device for treating organic waste from a sink drain includes: a waste inlet configured to be operably coupled to the sink drain; and a waste separator operably coupled to the waste inlet. The waste separator is configured to separate solid waste from liquid in the organic waste. The waste separator includes a housing extending axially between a proximal end and a distal end, the housing having a sidewall having a plurality of openings positioned between an inlet opening and an outlet opening. A rotatable screw is received in the housing, and an actuator is operably coupled to the rotatable screw to rotate the screw and axially move the waste in a direction from the proximal end to the distal end. A storage bin is positioned to receive solid waste from the outlet opening of the housing of the waste separator. A heater is thermally connected to the storage bin to facilitate dehydration of the solid waste. A liquid outlet is fluidly coupled to the waste separator for discharging liquid extracted from the organic waste.

[0006] According to another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a composting device for processing organic waste from a sink drain includes: a waste inlet configured to be operably coupled to the sink drain; and a waste separator operably coupled to the waste inlet. The waste separator is configured to separate solid waste from liquid in the organic waste. The storage bin is positioned to receive the solid waste from the waste separator. The heater is thermally connected to the storage bin to promote dehydration of the solid waste. The liquid outlet is fluidly coupled to the waste separator for discharging liquid extracted from the organic waste. The controller is operably coupled to an actuator and a heater of the waste separator. The housing receives the waste separator and the heater, wherein the storage bin is removably received in the housing. The fill sensor is operably coupled to the controller and is configured to detect the level of solid waste in the storage bin.

[0007] According to a further illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a composting device for processing organic waste from a sink drain includes: a waste inlet configured to be operably coupled to the sink drain; and a waste separator operably coupled to the waste inlet. The waste separator is configured to separate solid waste from liquid in the organic waste. The waste separator includes a housing extending axially between a proximal end and a distal end, the housing having a sidewall having a plurality of openings positioned between an inlet opening and an outlet opening. A rotatable screw is received in the housing, and an actuator is operably coupled to the rotatable screw to rotate the screw and axially move the waste in a direction from the proximal end to the distal end. A storage bin is positioned to receive solid waste from the outlet opening of the housing of the waste separator. A heater is thermally connected to the storage bin to facilitate dehydration of the solid waste. A liquid outlet is fluidly coupled to the waste separator for discharging liquid extracted from the organic waste. A controller is operably coupled to the actuator and heater of the waste separator. The housing receives the waste separator and the heater, wherein the storage bin is removably received within the housing. The fill sensor is operably coupled to the controller and is configured to detect a level of solid waste within the storage bin. The garbage disposal is fluidly coupled to the sink drain.

[0008] Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments which illustrate the best mode presently believed to be carrying out the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The detailed description of the drawings is directed in particular to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] Figure 1A and Figure 1B is a partially schematic perspective view of an illustrative composting apparatus of the present disclosure operably coupled to a sink drain;

[0011] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a composting device of the present disclosure;

[0012] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Another cross-sectional perspective view of the composting device;

[0013] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a further illustrative composting apparatus of the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a further illustrative embodiment of a composting apparatus of the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of another illustrative composting apparatus of the present disclosure operably coupled to a sink drain;

[0016] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A first stereoscopic view of a composting device;

[0017] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 A second perspective view of the composting device;

[0018] Fig. 9 yes Figure 6 A first cross-sectional view of a composting device;

[0019] Fig.10 yes Figure 6 A second cross-sectional view of the composting device;

[0020] Fig.11 yes Figure 6 A first perspective view of a composting apparatus with a cover removed for clarity;

[0021] Fig.12 yes Figure 6 a second perspective view of the composting apparatus with the cover removed for clarity;

[0022] Fig.13 is a block diagram of representative electrical components of an illustrative composting apparatus of the present disclosure;

[0023] Fig.14 is a front cross-sectional perspective view of a further illustrative composting apparatus of the present disclosure;

[0024] Fig.15 yes Fig.14 Another front cross-sectional perspective view of the composting device;

[0025] Fig.16 yes Fig.14A rear perspective view of a composting device; and

[0026] Fig.17 yes Fig.14 A perspective view of an illustrative fluid pathway of a composting device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] For the purpose of promoting and understanding the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, which will be described herein. The embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise form disclosed. On the contrary, these embodiments are selected and described to make their teachings available to other persons skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. The present invention includes any changes and further modifications to the displayed apparatus and described methods that would normally be expected by a person skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs, as well as further applications of the principles of the present invention.

[0028] First reference Figure 1A and Figure 1B , shows an illustrative composting apparatus 10 of the present disclosure positioned below a sink 12 supported by a mounting surface 14. More particularly, Figure 1A A conventional sink 12 is shown that is supported by a mounting deck 14 and includes a sink drain 16 that is fluidly coupled to a garbage disposal 18. A conduit 20, illustratively a flexible tube, fluidly couples an outlet 22 of the garbage disposal 18 to a waste housing inlet 24 of the composting apparatus 10.

[0029] As is well known, the illustrative garbage disposer 18 is of conventional design as an electrically operable device configured to receive organic waste (e.g., food waste) flowing through the sink drain 16 along with water supplied through a faucet (not shown), and to chop or grind the organic waste into smaller particles or pieces (e.g., less than about 2 mm in diameter).

[0030] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the composting device 10 illustratively includes a housing 26 that receives a controller 28, a waste separator 30, a storage bin or recovery tank 32, and a heater 34. The housing 26 illustratively includes a central support 36 that is operably coupled to a first or left cover 38 and a second or right cover 40. The central support 36 illustratively includes a front wall 37 and a rear wall 39 that support a top wall 41. The inlet 24 includes a left inlet 24a and a right inlet 24b defined by an inlet tube 42 that extends between the left cover 38 and the right cover 40 for fluid connection to the garbage disposal 18 through the conduit 20. The waste inlet tube 42 includes an outlet opening 44 that provides fluid communication between the inlets 24a, 24b and the waste separator 30.

[0031] More specifically, waste separator 30 is operably coupled to waste inlet 24 via inlet pipe 42 to receive organic waste and water 45a from garbage disposal 18. Waste separator 30 is configured to separate solid waste 45b (e.g., dry food waste) from liquid 45c (e.g., wastewater and small particles of solid waste, such as dry food waste having a size less than 2 mm) in organic waste and water 45a from garbage disposal 18.

[0032] Waste separator 30 illustratively includes housing 46 extending axially between proximal end 48 and distal end 50. Housing 46 illustratively includes cylindrical sidewall 52 having drainage screen 53. Drain screen 53 illustratively includes a plurality of openings 54 positioned intermediate inlet opening 56 (adjacent proximal end 48) and outlet opening 58 (adjacent distal end 50). Organic waste and water 45a from garbage disposal 18 are supplied to inlet opening 56, while separated solid waste 45b are supplied to outlet opening 58.

[0033] refer to Figure 3 , a rotatable screw 60 is received within the housing 46. The rotatable screw 60 illustratively includes a central shaft 62 supporting a plurality of helical threads or disks 64. A drive actuator 66, illustratively a direct current (DC) electric motor, is illustratively operably coupled to the rotatable screw 60 via a gear assembly 67. Operation of the drive actuator 66 causes the screw 60 to rotate, causing the threads to axially move the waste material in a direction from the proximal end 48 to the distal end 50.

[0034] Reversing wall 68 is illustratively positioned within housing 26 below separator 30. Reversing wall 68 is configured to direct liquid extracted from waste separator 30 and passing through opening 54 in side wall 52 to a liquid housing outlet 70 supported by housing 26. Outlet 70 is fluidly coupled to a conventional sewer drain pipe 71 to discharge wastewater and small particulate waste 45b.

[0035] Illustratively, the outlet grille 72 is operably coupled to the outlet opening 58 of the waste separator 30. The storage bin 32 is illustratively positioned to receive solid waste from the outlet opening 58 of the housing 46 of the waste separator 30 through the outlet grille 72. The storage bin 32 is removably supported within the housing 26. More particularly, the storage bin 32 can be slidably received within the housing 26, below the outlet grille 72. The storage bin 32 illustratively includes a side wall 74 defining an open top 76. A handle 78 is coupled to the side wall 74 to facilitate a user removing the storage bin 32. An agitation device (not shown) can be operably coupled to the storage bin 32 to agitate the waste stored therein and promote composting. A carbon filter (not shown) can also be operably coupled to the storage bin 32 to reduce unpleasant odors.

[0036] The heater 34 is in thermal communication with the storage bin 32 to assist in the hydration of the solid waste received in the storage bin. The heater 34 may be a heater of conventional design, including an electric heating element or tube 80 positioned below the storage bin 32. An interlock 81 may be provided to prevent the storage bin 32 from being removed from the housing 26 when the heater 34 is activated.

[0037] The controller 28 is illustratively in electrical communication with the actuator 66 and the heater 34. A conventional power adapter 82 is illustratively in electrical communication with the controller 28, and therefore with the actuator 66 and the heater 34. More particularly, the power adapter 82 is configured to electrically couple the controller 28 to a conventional power source (e.g., an AC power source). The controller 28 may include a processor 84 supported on a printed circuit board (PCB) 86. The processor 84 is configured to execute machine-readable instructions stored in the controller 28. A user interface, such as a control panel 88, is illustratively supported by the housing 26 and is in electrical communication with the controller 28. The control panel 88 may provide input buttons for operating the device 10 in electrical communication with the controller 28, as well as indicators and / or display panels for providing feedback to the user.

[0038] A filling or level sensor 90 may also be operably coupled to the storage bin 32 to provide a signal to the controller 28 when the waste within the storage bin 32 reaches a predetermined filling level. When the sensor 90 detects the predetermined filling level, the controller 28 may activate an alarm 89 (such as an audible and / or visual alarm). The alarm 89 may be defined by the control panel 88 or may be separate therefrom.

[0039] In certain illustrative embodiments, the waste separator 30 may include an electrically operable valve 91, such as a solenoid valve 91 ( Fig.13). When sensor 90 detects a predetermined waste level, controller 28 may enable solenoid valve 91 to bypass organic waste and water supplied to inlet 24 by garbage disposer 18 directly to liquid outlet 70. Thus, the user does not need to empty storage bin 32 each time the storage bin is full, and may continue to use garbage disposer 18 uninterruptedly.

[0040] refer to Figure 4 , a window 92 may be formed in the housing 26, illustratively in the front wall 37. A user may open the window 92 to reach or enter the waste separator 30. More particularly, a user may pull the screw 60 and the housing 46 out of the housing 26 for cleaning and / or maintenance. A sensor (not shown) may be operably coupled to the window 92 so that the controller 28 may provide an indication to the user when the window is open and / or the waste separator 30 is not properly installed.

[0041] refer to Figure 5 The signal display 94 can be supported by the housing 26, illustratively supported by the upper wall 41. The signal display 94 can be defined by the control panel 88 or separate therefrom. The signal display 94 can include a light that is illuminated to provide an indication of power, operation of the motor 66 driving the screw 60, operation of the heater 34, fullness of the storage bin 32, and / or an operating problem with the screw 60.

[0042] In operation, organic waste and water 45a from sink drain 16 flow to garbage disposal 18 where they are ground into smaller pieces. Controller 28 may initiate operation of composter 10 (e.g., actuator 60 and heater 34) when garbage disposal 18 is enabled (illustratively via control panel 88). The ground organic waste and water are then discharged from outlet 22 of garbage disposal 18 to inlet 24 of composting device 10 via conduit 20. Organic waste and water enter waste separator 30 where they are axially pushed from inlet opening 56 to outlet opening 58 by rotation of screw 60. Liquid and small solid waste particles (e.g., less than about 2 mm) are discharged through opening 54 of housing 46. Extracted liquid from waste separator 30 is directed to liquid outlet 70 by reversing wall 68.

[0043] Large solid waste particles (e.g., larger than about 2 mm) are pushed by screw 60 to outlet grill 72, where they fall into storage bin 32. Heater 34 may be activated to further dry the solid waste particles in storage bin 32. Storage bin 32 may be slidably removed from housing 26, and the micro-decomposed solid waste particles are recovered (e.g., as soil compost). In the illustrative embodiment, after garbage disposal 18 has been deactivated, controller 28 causes actuator 66 to continue operation of screw 60 for a first predetermined time (e.g., about 5 to 10 minutes) and to continue operation of heater 34 for a second predetermined time (e.g., about 60 minutes).

[0044] Reference now Figures 6 to 12 , a further illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure is shown as a composting device 110 that includes many features similar to the above-described composting device 10. As such, similar components will be identified with similar reference numerals in the following description.

[0045] refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 , illustrative composting apparatus 110 is fluidly coupled between outlet 22 of garbage disposal 18 and sewer drain 71 . Figure 6 Different representative dimensions are shown for mounting the composting device 110 within a cabinet 101 below the mounting countertop 14 and above the floor 102. Illustratively, the cabinet 101 has an interior height of at least 750 millimeters (mm). Adjustable feet 104 can support the housing 26 above a baseboard or base 106 of the cabinet 101. Illustratively, the feet 104 can be adjusted between 0 millimeters (mm) and 120 millimeters (mm) to assist in positioning the inlet 24 of the composting device 110 below the garbage disposal outlet 22 and positioning the outlet 70 of the composting device 110 above the sewer drain 71.

[0046] The illustrative composting device 110 further includes a filtration system 112 including an activated carbon filter 114 and a fan 116 that draws air therethrough from an inlet 115 to an outlet 117. The fan 116 may include a conventional fan motor 118 to drive a fan blade 120 to rotate. The fan motor 118 may be in electrical communication with the controller 28. The filtration system 112 is configured to reduce unpleasant odors emitted from solid waste in the storage bin 32. The carbon filter 114 may be slidably received within the housing 26 for easy removal and replacement. An access panel 119 may also be removably supported by the housing 26 to facilitate access to the rotatable screw 60 and the drive actuator 66.

[0047] like Fig.10As shown, if the composting device 110 is overloaded (e.g., the storage bin 32 is full) or malfunctions, the flow from the garbage disposal 18 will travel through the bypass 121, bypassing the opening 24 and flowing directly into the opening 70. As described in further detail herein, the flow to the bypass 121 can be controlled by an electrically operable valve. In addition, the door 123 can be movably supported by the housing 26 to enable access to the storage bin 32. The interlock device 81 (e.g., a switch) can provide a signal to the controller 28 so that when the door 123 is opened, the operation of the composting device 110 will stop.

[0048] refer to Fig.11 , the ultraviolet (UV) lamp 122 can be electrically connected to the controller 28 to direct UV light to the storage bin 32 ( Fig.11 ). The UV lamp 122 is configured to help sterilize the waste in the storage bin 32.

[0049] The heating device 34 in the composting device 110 illustratively includes a heating plate 124 ( Fig. 9 A stirring device 125 (illustratively including a stirring motor 126 operably coupled to a shaft 128 and blades 130) may assist in stirring the waste in the storage bin 32. The motor 126 may be in electrical communication with the controller 28.

[0050] Reference now Figures 13 to 17 , a further illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure is shown as a composting device 210 that includes many features similar to the above-described composting devices 10 and 110. As such, similar components will be identified with similar reference numerals in the following description.

[0051] refer to Fig.14 and Fig.15 , the composting device 210 illustratively includes a housing 226 that receives the controller 28, a waste separator 230, a fluid pathway assembly 232, and a storage bin or recovery tank 32. The heater 34 and the agitation device 125 are operably coupled to the storage bin 32. The filtration system 112 is illustratively positioned above the storage bin 32 and includes an activated carbon filter 114 and a fan 116 to draw air therethrough from the inlet 115 to the outlet 117. The fan 116 may include a conventional fan motor 118 to drive the fan blades 120 to rotate. As described in further detail above, the fan motor 118 may be in electrical communication with the controller 28.

[0052] refer to Figures 15 to 17, the fluid pathway assembly 232 provides selective fluid communication between the waste housing inlet 24 and the liquid housing outlet 70 via one of: (1) through the outlet opening 44 to the waste separator 230, and (2) through the bypass 121. More specifically, the fluid pathway assembly 232 includes an inlet tube 242 that defines the waste housing inlet 24 and is fluidly coupled to an electrically operable valve 91 that directs fluid flow alternately between (1) a waste separator connection tube 244 and (2) a bypass tube 245. A reversing tube 248 fluidly couples the waste separator 230 to an outlet tube 250 that defines the liquid housing outlet 70. The outlet tube 250 is also fluidly coupled to the bypass tube 245, thereby forming the bypass 121.

[0053] refer to Fig.17 , the electrically operable valve 91 may be a solenoid valve including a motor 252 that drives a valve member 254 (illustratively a valve flap) via a gear assembly 255. The motor 252 switches the valve member 254 between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the valve member 254 seals the bypass pipe 245 from the waste housing inlet 24 of the inlet pipe 242, while fluidly coupling the pipe 244 (and thus the waste separator 230 through the outlet opening 44) to the inlet 24. In turn, the waste separator 230 is fluidly coupled downstream to the reversing pipe 248, and thus connected to the liquid housing outlet 70 through the outlet pipe 250. In the second position, the valve member 254 seals the pipe 244 (and thus the waste separator 230) from the waste housing inlet 24, while fluidly coupling the bypass pipe 245 to the inlet 24 of the inlet pipe 242. In turn, the bypass pipe 245 is fluidly coupled to the liquid housing outlet 70 through the outlet pipe 250.

[0054] Further references Fig.15 , the waste separator 230 includes a rotatable screw 260 received within the housing 246. The rotatable screw 260 illustratively includes a central shaft 262 supporting a plurality of helical threads or disks 264. A drive actuator 266, such as a direct current (DC) electric motor, is illustratively operably coupled to the rotatable screw 260 via a gear assembly 267. Operation of the drive actuator 266 activates the gear assembly 267, thereby causing the screw 260 to rotate, causing the threads 264 to axially move the waste material in a direction from the proximal end 48 to the distal end 50.

[0055] The end cap 268 is supported by the distal end 50 of the waste separator 230. An outlet 270 is supported by the housing 246 and positioned above the storage bin 32 for dispensing waste from the separator 230 into the storage bin 32. The outlet 270 can be opened and closed by a movable closing member 272. Illustratively, the closing member 272 is biased along a guide rod 274 between a first position or an open position and a second position or a closed position. In the open position, the outlet 270 provides fluid communication between the separator 230 and the storage bin 32, while in the closed position, the outlet 270 is sealed by the closing member 272 to prevent communication between the separator 230 and the storage bin 32. When the organic waste in the waste separator 230 moves distally, it illustratively pushes the closing member 272 from the closed position to the open position.

[0056] Housing 246 illustratively includes a cylindrical sidewall 275 having a drainage screen 276. Drain screen 276 illustratively includes a plurality of openings 278 positioned intermediate inlet opening 44 (adjacent proximal end 48) and outlet opening 270 (adjacent distal end 50). Organic waste and water 45a from garbage disposal 18 are supplied to inlet opening 44, while separated solid waste 45b is supplied to outlet opening 270.

[0057] The door 123 may be movably supported by the housing 26 to enable access to the storage bin 32. An interlock device 81 (eg, a switch) may provide a signal to the controller 28 such that when the door 123 is opened, operation of the composting device 210 will cease.

[0058] Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, changes and modifications exist within the spirit and scope of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A composting device for treating organic waste from a sink drain, the composting device comprising: a waste inlet configured to operably couple with a sink drain; a waste separator operably coupled to the waste inlet, the waste separator being configured to separate solid waste from liquid in the organic waste; Wherein the waste separator comprises: a housing extending axially between a proximal end and a distal end, the housing having a sidewall with a plurality of openings positioned intermediate the inlet opening and the outlet opening, a rotatable screw received within the housing, and an actuator operably coupled to the rotatable screw to rotate the screw and axially move the waste material in a direction from the proximal end to the distal end; a storage bin positioned to receive the solid waste from an outlet opening of a housing of the waste separator; a heater in thermal communication with the storage bin to facilitate dehydration of the solid waste; and A liquid outlet is fluidly coupled to the waste separator for discharging liquid extracted from the organic waste.

2. The composting device according to claim 1, further comprising: a controller operably coupled to an actuator of the waste separator and the heater; as well as A fill sensor is operably coupled to the controller and configured to detect a level of solid waste within the storage bin.

3. The composting apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an electrically operable bypass valve fluidly coupled to the waste separator and configured to direct water to the liquid outlet in response to the fill sensor sending a signal to the controller.

4. The composting apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an alarm configured to provide an indication to a user in response to the fill sensor sending a signal to the controller.

5. The composting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a housing receiving the waste separator and the heater, wherein the storage bin is removably received within the housing.

6. The composting apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a port formed in the housing to access the waste separator.

7. The composting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a carbon filter supported adjacent the storage bin.

8. The composting apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a fan configured to draw air from the storage bin through the carbon filter.

9. The composting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an ultraviolet lamp configured to treat the solid water supplied to the storage bin.

10. The composting device according to claim 1, wherein: A garbage disposal is fluidly coupled to the sink drain.

11. A composting device for treating organic waste from a sink drain, the composting device comprising: a waste inlet configured to operably couple with a sink drain; a waste separator operably coupled to the waste inlet, the waste separator being configured to separate solid waste from liquid in the organic waste; a storage bin positioned to receive the solid waste from the waste separator; a heater in thermal communication with the storage bin to facilitate dehydration of the solid waste; a liquid outlet fluidly coupled to the waste separator for discharging liquid extracted from the organic waste; a controller operably coupled to an actuator of the waste separator and the heater; a housing receiving the waste separator and the heater, wherein the storage bin is removably received within the housing; as well as A fill sensor is operably coupled to the controller and configured to detect a level of solid waste within the storage bin.

12. The composting apparatus of claim 11, further comprising an electrically operable bypass valve fluidly coupled to the waste separator and configured to direct water to the liquid outlet in response to the fill sensor sending a signal to the controller.

13. The composting apparatus of claim 11, further comprising an alarm configured to provide an indication to a user in response to the fill sensor sending a signal to the controller.

14. The composting apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a port formed in the housing to access the waste separator.

15. The composting apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a carbon filter supported adjacent the storage bin.

16. The composting apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a fan configured to draw air from the storage bin through the carbon filter.

17. The composting apparatus of claim 11, further comprising an ultraviolet lamp configured to treat the solid water supplied to the storage bin.

18. The composting device according to claim 11, wherein: A garbage disposal is fluidly coupled to the sink drain.

19. The composting device according to claim 11, wherein: The waste separator comprises: a housing extending axially between a proximal end and a distal end, the housing having a sidewall with a plurality of openings positioned intermediate the inlet opening and the outlet opening; a rotatable screw received within the housing; and An actuator is operably coupled to the rotatable screw to rotate the screw and axially move the waste material in a direction from the proximal end to the distal end.

20. A composting device for treating organic waste from a sink drain, the composting device comprising: a waste inlet configured to operably couple with a sink drain; a waste separator operably coupled to the waste inlet, the waste separator being configured to separate solid waste from liquid in the organic waste; Wherein the waste separator comprises: a housing extending axially between a proximal end and a distal end, the housing having a sidewall with a plurality of openings positioned intermediate the inlet opening and the outlet opening, a rotatable screw received within the housing, and an actuator operably coupled to the rotatable screw to rotate the screw and axially move the waste material in a direction from the proximal end to the distal end; a storage bin positioned to receive the solid waste from an outlet opening of a housing of the waste separator; a heater in thermal communication with the storage bin to facilitate dehydration of the solid waste; a liquid outlet fluidly coupled to the waste separator for discharging liquid extracted from the organic waste; a controller operably coupled to an actuator of the waste separator and the heater; a housing receiving the waste separator and the heater, wherein the storage bin is removably received within the housing; a fill sensor operably coupled to the controller and configured to detect a level of solid waste within the storage bin; and Wherein a garbage disposal is fluidly coupled to the sink drain.

21. The composting apparatus of claim 20, further comprising an alarm configured to provide an indication to a user in response to the fill sensor sending a signal to the controller.

22. The composting apparatus of claim 21, further comprising an electrically operable bypass valve fluidly coupled to the waste separator and configured to direct water to the liquid outlet in response to the fill sensor sending a signal to the controller.

23. The composting apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a port formed in the housing to access the waste separator.

24. The composting device of claim 20, further comprising: a carbon filter supported adjacent the storage bin; as well as A fan is configured to draw air from the storage bin through the carbon filter.

25. The composting apparatus of claim 20, further comprising an ultraviolet lamp configured to treat the solid water supplied to the storage bin.

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