Break automation into six individual functions
Terms such as automatic, fully automatic and PLC-based are used differently in supplier quotations. A PLC display alone does not automate segregation or guarantee mature compost at discharge.
| Process stage | Ask the supplier |
|---|---|
| Segregation | Who removes plastics, glass, packaging and prohibited waste? |
| Feeding and shredding | Manual loading, integrated shredder or separate shredder? |
| Mixing | Timed rotation, manual intervention or controlled cycles? |
| Temperature | Manual switching, thermostat/PID or monitored controller? |
| Discharge | Manual removal, assisted outlet or automatic discharge? |
| Alerts and logging | Visible alarms, historical records, interlocks and operator controls? |
Why the labour question matters
A highly automated drum can still require daily housekeeping, waste sorting, bin collection, bulking agent handling, curing and final compost management. Ask vendors to estimate the actual operator minutes per day for your feedstock.
- Describe peak-day staffing and where the machine will be installed.
- Confirm whether separate shredder operation is included.
- Request demonstrations of routine cleaning and discharge.
Do not confuse automation with process quality
Output quality depends on the accepted feedstock, loading level, residence time, aeration, moisture control and follow-on curing. No machine should be sold as compliant or mature solely because its controls are labelled automatic.
- Compare sample operating logs and actual discharge-handling procedure.
- Ask for written acceptance tests, interlocks and consumables.
- Check power supply and service availability for added electrical components.
Buying comparison by site type
A housing society may value simple daily operation and containment; a hotel kitchen may value rush-hour waste handling; a factory canteen may require shift-wise batching. None automatically requires the same automation package.
| Buyer scenario | Important evaluation |
|---|---|
| Housing society | Operator training, segregation consistency and curing area |
| Hotel or banquet | Peak handling, cleaning turnaround and odour prevention |
| Institutional canteen | Shift scheduling, maintenance access and handover documentation |
| Municipal facility | Feed variability, contamination and staffing arrangements |
RFQ questions that prevent misleading comparisons
Require each supplier to declare exactly which stages are automated, which sensors and interlocks are fitted, what alarm situations stop the machine, and which operator tasks remain in their scope.
Automation grade is a procurement description. Compare actual tested functions and warranty coverage—not marketing labels.
When the question becomes model-specific
This guide stays general. For exact figures on a particular machine, these published pages from the COMPOSTO range are the reference.
Want a second opinion on your site?
Send your site type, city and measured daily wet waste. The COMPOSTO technical team replies with the capacity and checks worth doing next.