Amy Youngs' Digestive Table
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 11.28.06
This gives new meaning to the term "dining table"- it eats the leftovers. Lift the lid in the centre and dump them in, and the worm composter takes over- "A living ecosystem of worms, sowbugs and bacteria are invited to this table. They are a part of the digestive system that starts with a person discarding food leftovers and shredded paper into the portal at the top. The bacteria and sowbugs begin breaking down the waste and the worms soon join in to further digest it into a rich compost that sprinkles out of the bottom of the fabric bag that hangs beneath the table. This compost is used as a fertilizer for plants, such as those at the base of the table." So you don't miss any of the action, an infrared camera sends images to the LCD screen imbedded in the tabletop. Reduces waste in two ways- composting it and who wants to eat after watching the screen?
click to enlarge details below
Of course it is all FSC certified wood, stained with a mix of boiled red cabbage and worm compost tea. ::Digestive Table via ::WWMNA
What a neat idea! The LCD screen / infrared camera seems a little excessive and unnecessary to me, but maybe someone else would like that!
Wow, this great! Though the table itself is a bit small for more than one, perhaps a larger version will come about. I also agree on the the LCD, that is a bit much. Plus I am not sure if I want to eat and watch that!
Sure seems neat, until the bag breaks or the bugs start escaping.
Thats pretty cool. I don't know if I would want it at my dinner table but maybe somewhere else in the house!
Seems extremely wasteful actually. The amount of energy used to create the electronics probably far exceeds any good the table will ever do.
LA: she is an artist, guys, this is conceptual!
Having lived with this table it does not stink at all. In fact it is quite peaceful to sit and watch the worms eating and the work is sanitary with no insects escaping. This is sort of a home processing factory of recyclables using techniques similar to Tom Szaky of TerraCycle products that dissolves worm poop in water to create plant food.