What is ByoPod®?

ByoPod is an innovative kitchen worktop food waste container and an alternative to a standard caddy, crock or bin. It enables users to easily and hygienically manage their compostable waste/scraps in the kitchen prior to home composting or local authority kerbside collection.

Why is ByoPod® different?

• ByoPod allows the user to enclose previous deposits of waste, thereby controlling smells and minimising the risk of harmful pathogens* entering the kitchen environment

• ByoPod is a ‘no flies on me’ food waste container because it prevents the release of volatiles that attract flies and insects.

• ByoPod does not require electricity, expensive additives or filters.

• ByoPod requires minimal cleaning of waste residue and is dishwasher proof.

• ByoPod liner usage is kept to a minimum because the system allows for more effective use of the bags than conventional caddies

• Because of its effective use of liners, ByoPod reduces the need for excessive trips to compost or kerbside.

• ByoPod is purposely designed with no unsightly liner overhang, making it an attractive and complimentary addition to worktop surfaces.

• ByoPod makes it very easy for everyone to partake in this important recycling activity.

• ByoPod is one of the most carbon positive household products you would ever own.

* Heedrik, D. et al (2000). Applied and Environmental Technology. Vol 66 p627. Found that, organic kitchen waste produces moulds/bacteria, which, if not properly contained are proven to aggravate respiratory illnesses.

What size is ByoPod®?

ByoPod will initially be available in a 7.5 ltr size (holding approximately 1.5kg of waste). This is a convenient worktop size (210h x 220w x 180dmm) and more sizes and a range of colours will follow.

What will ByoPod® Cost?

The retail price of a standard ByoPod will be under £20, with different styles and sizes soon becoming available. The ByoPod can be used with any make of liner* although approved compostable or degradable liners of the necessary size will be available on-line, by telephone and through a growing number of local retail outlets.

Because of ByoPod's effective food waste containment, it typically uses fewer liners than other containers - meaning that even the compostable liners should cost the average user less than £1.50 a month.

*Whilst any make of liner can be used with ByoPod, when putting waste onto home composts or out for local authority collection, it is important to only use compostable liners.

Where can I buy a ByoPod®?

ByoPod will be available from late 2012 in the UK. You can register your interest today via the enquiry page and we will notify you on retail options as they become available.

Important Note: Your contact is very important to us and so we will NOT pass on your details onto anyone else without your permission.

Why separate food waste?

When deposited in landfill, biodegradable waste produces methane, a greenhouse gas reported to be 25 times more harmful to our environment than CO2.

As a result, EU Directives are in place which set out reductions for biodegradable waste going to landfill and these directives are backed up with heavy fines for non-compliance. Most governments are passing on any non-compliant fines to local authorities who are responsible for disposing of our household waste. These fines are on top of the rising landfill taxes and
all these additional costs will have to be paid from raising our council taxes.........unless more biodegradable waste (including food waste) is diverted for recycling.

On average, each UK household produces 4.6kg of food waste per week, meaning that by 2014 the landfill tax bill for the average UK local authority that sends all its food waste to landfill, will be £1.7million. On top of this cost will be the liabilities from EU driven fines which some local authorities report could cost them an additional £500k a year.

National newspapers have started to highlight the UK Government's desire to manage all food waste away from landfill. With ByoPod we will all have the option to avoid the dreaded 'Slop Bucket'.

Why is using a ByoPod® so carbon positive?

The methane produced from an average household's weekly food waste is equivalent to the environmental damage done by burning 1.3 gallons of petrol in a car.

Moreover, biodegradable waste continues to give off this high level of pollution every week for approximately 20 years, meaning that the pollution multiplies each week and year on year for every household sending its food waste to landfill.

As there are 26 million households in the UK, there is the potential to capture a massive amount of greenhouse gas and produce biogas via a process called anaerobic digestion. Capturing this gas gives us a 100% renewable energy source which also helps reduce the need to extract and burn fossil fuels.

By using a ByoPod you can help steer food waste away from being a harmful pollutant and turn it into a useful resource – making the ByoPod one of the most environmentally friendly household products you can own.

What happens to my food waste?

Food waste can be treated biologically, whereby it is broken down by the action of micro-organisms, either with oxygen (aerobically) by composting or without oxygen (anaerobically) by anaerobic digestion (AD). The residue from both these processes can be used as a high quality compost/fertiliser.

The AD process captures the methane produced by biodegradable waste and turns it into biogas - a 100% renewable energy.

Because of the environmental and political drivers forcing biodegradable waste away from landfill (taxes and fines), food waste is becoming a valuable raw material for the AD process. By using ByoPod to hygienically separate this waste in the kitchen, we can all easily play a greater role in protecting our environment.

Will my local authority approve of me using ByoPod®?

Whether you home compost your food waste or put it out for local authority collection, it makes no difference. Your local authority may even be introducing a scheme to allow you to buy a version of ByoPod from them at a subsidised rate. Because of the environmental impact of food waste and the costs of managing it to landfill, the vast majority of local authorities will actively support your use of ByoPod.

About ByoByn Ltd

ByoByn Ltd has a DTi Innovation Award winning pedigree and has received development grant sponsorship from DEFRA and SEEDA for its patented solutions.

It has forged close links with several leading UK universities in its drive to use the latest technologies together with international award winning homeware product designers.

ByoByn Ltd is committed to environmentally sustainable solutions and drives for UK based innovation, design, development and manufacture wherever possible.