Pulu

A tabletop vermicomposter for urban environments.

Pulu is an individual thesis project aiming to reconcile the connection between people and nature through simple, ecologically conscious routines in everyday life.

The result is a tabletop vermicomposter which streamlines the composting process to make it more accessible to individuals and families, especially in urban environments. Due to its small form factor and integration within the home, Pulu reduces food waste within cities, bypassing landfills and being used directly back in the home, from gardens to plant pots and even community gardens.

Though limited in what food scraps to use due to the constraints of vermicomposting, Pulu is unique in that it can cater to urban living and streamlines the composting process within the home. Additionally, the minimalist form factor and use on the countertop makes compost more accessible and attractive, becoming a daily habit rather than a chore.

Pulu is very easy to use, requiring a simple 3-step process when cooking involving removing and sorting discarded food scraps. When not in use, it requires little to no effort, letting the worms do the work. The only additional steps are when the composter is full, and is a simple process which requires a small amount of work.

The main distinction between Pulu and other composters is modularity, which allows for expansion or reduction of the volume that can be composted. This eliminates the need to purchase another composter when, for example, a family household grows with the addition of a child. 

Materials: Steel, Maple, Walnut