A composting apparatus for converting compost material in a hall is provided with a conveying system having an upwardly extending conveyor belt which, at or adjacent the bottom end thereof, comprises at least one digging wheel. This digging wheel has a wheel body which is open on one side and comprises, along the circumferential side thereof, digging elements which are open in the direction of rotation of the digging wheel. These digging elements are also of open design on the side facing the conveyor belt. Via an opening on the inside of each of the digging elements and via the open side of the wheel body of the digging wheel, the excavated compost material is laterally moved onto the conveyor belt and, by the use of this conveyor belt, discharged in order to be deposited elsewhere in the hall.