Community Composting on Block Island

Block Island is one of Rhode Island’s most breathtaking natural attractions, thanks in part to the dedication of conservationists: As of 2024, 46.1% of Block Island's land is preserved open space.

Maintaining these ecological preserves requires a commitment to sustainable waste management and local resource recovery. But for island communities, managing organic waste presents some logistical hurdles — particularly when that waste is outsourced to mainland facilities.

The Block Island Conservancy (BIC) is a non-profit land trust dedicated to protecting the island’s natural heritage. Recently, BIC launched a community composting project to use an eco drum — a large-vessel composting system — to facilitate efficient aerobic decomposition.

The Problem: Ergonomic Challenges in Composting Operations

 The conservancy’s composting project requires an operator to load material into an Ecodrum™ system at a specific height. The equipment provides an efficient way to process organic matter, but manual lifting isn’t really feasible — the process of lifting the collection bins to the intake height would create an enormous ergonomic risk for staff and volunteers.

Additionally, composting projects need to be efficient in order to be truly sustainable. The loading operation needs to be consistent, fast, and straightforward — in other words, the tipping needs to be automated.

BIC required equipment that could meet specific tipping heights while remaining durable enough for consistent use in an outdoor environment.

The Solution: A Bin Dumper Customized for Composting

After a quick consultation and an analysis of the project goals, Solus Group recommended the Dumpmaster® Hydraulic Bin Dumper, specifically the DM2400 model, equipped with a chute. 
Designed for high-frequency use, the Dumpmaster® had a few key features that made it the right choice for this project:

• Tipping Height: The unit features multiple standard options for tipping heights, which could be configured to meet the loading door of the composting system. The DM2400 model features a 94.5" (2400 mm) tipping height.
• Tipping Chute: The frame-mounted chute prevents spillage and maintains a clean work environment — particularly important for a sustainable composting use case.
• Coordinated Logistics: Solus Group coordinated with the customer to ship the dumper to a Rhode Island ferry location.

The conservancy was able to manage the final leg of transport and bring the equipment directly onto Block Island.

The Result: Promoting Ergonomics and Ecological Sustainability

By automating the tipping process, the Block Island Conservancy has streamlined its composting operations (and simplified the work for its staff).

Composting on the island supports the island’s ecological health while reducing its reliance on mainland waste infrastructure. The Dumpmaster® helps to make the program more scalable without increasing the physical burden on the BIC workforce.

Learn more about the Block Island Conservancy and find ways to help their mission.
If you’re ready to find material handling solutions for your organization, we’re here to help. Describe your project for a free quote or call (314) 696-0200.