Turn Leftovers Into Fertilizer With Whirlpool's New Food Recycler

In the United States, an estimated 40 percent of food is wasted every year, according to the National Resources Defense Council. Recently, WLabs of Whirlpool Corporation debuted a responsible and convenient way for households to do their part in reducing food waste and recycle leftovers with the Zera Food Recycler.

In 24 hours, the kitchen appliance can reduce food waste by more than two-thirds its original volume to create fertilizer ready for lawns, outdoor plants, and gardens, according to the company's website.

"Zera™ Food Recycler brings a purposeful innovation to consumer kitchens, and delivers on an increasing demand for more environmentally-driven solutions for the home," Jennifer Bonuso, senior director for WLabs, said in a statement. "We know Americans are looking for easier, more efficient ways to recycle food scraps, and the Zera™ system makes that possible."

The food recycler can also be managed through the Zera app, which allows users to start and pause the appliance from a smart device, provides notifications for cycle completion, and receive awards for recycling.

The appliance is currently available for pre-order on Indiegogo and is set to deliver units this summer.