A laboratory reactor was designed to study the effects of operating parameters (air suction rate, seeding and agitation) on the composting process of a synthetic food waste made of dog food. Experimental results showed that the synthetic food waste could be composted within 4 days and the final compost passed the maturity tests. In most cases except those with 32% of seeding, the process involved two major stages of composting. The two peak temperatures between 50 and 60 degrees C occurred at 8-12th hour and 50-65th hour, respectively. Operating parameters that converted the most volatile solids and carbons in the feedstock were as follows: 1.61 air/kg dry solid-min of air suction rate, 32% of seeding and 50% of agitation time. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.