Yes.
The HOTBIN does not require the addition of garden waste for the unit to operate effectively and can be used to compost solely food waste. It is important to note that some waste types, such as cooked food/small bones, can only be added to the HOTBIN once it is operating at hot composting temperatures of 40-60°c.
Our test HOTBINs located at HQ are primarily run on office food waste with a diet of leftover buffets, tea bags and coffee grinds which is topped up by some extra waste brought in from home by the team.
Guidelines for Composting Food Waste
Vegetable peelings and fruit peelings (including citrus), tea leaves, coffee grinds. Add over 40°c: Cooked food waste, meat, fish and bones.
The majority of food waste is relatively easy to digest waste. Therefore, after waste has been added into the HOTBIN the temperature will rise reasonably quickly but will also drop faster. To sustain the production of heat, also add in harder to digest waste as this breaks down (and produces heat) over a longer time period.
The smaller HOTBIN Mini 100 may be more suitable for composting only food waste as it will require less waste to maintain hot composting temperatures.
Remember, whatever volume of waste you add into the HOTBIN ensure that it is chopped and that both shredded paper and woodchip are added in the suggested ratios. Bear in mind that although the HOTBIN will drive off some of this moisture, food waste (especially peelings) contains a lot of water so you may need to add extra paper to balance the moisture levels.