Compost Bins

Compost Bins

Many advantages exist to making a compost bin, rather than simply piling your materials in a heap. Oftentimes the decomposing material has a foul odor, so containing it helps reduce this effect. In addition, containing the compost keeps unwanted animals out of the pile, although earthworms are helpful to compost piles and compost bins. Using a bin also speeds up the composting process.

Several everyday items are good to include in your bin. Almost any yard waste, including grass clippings and wood chips can be added, in addition to coffee grounds, hair clippings, post-it notes and most unwanted food scraps. Remember to keep your waste moist.

How To Build Your Own Compost Bin

Compost bins, like the materials you put into them, can be made out of almost anything you find around your house. A lot of commercial compost bins are made out of plastic, but wood, wire, and garbage cans are a few of the starting points for compost bins. Here’s how to make some different types:

Mesh Wire

For this easy to make, cheap to purchase and even easier to move around your yard bin, you can use poultry wire, heavy wire or hardware cloth. You can simply wrap the wire around in a circle and connect it with small wire, or put some stakes in the corners of your enclosure can have more structure.

Wood Compost Bins

One of the simplest ways to make a recycled compost bin is a wooden pallet bin, where four pallets are hooked, tied or hinged together in a square, usually with one removable side for easy turning of the pile. Another easy type of bin to build is the Lehigh-Keston compost bin, designed by J. I. Rodale. Simply alternate 2" x 2" lumber or poles with holes drilled in the corners of each piece to make a square like you are building a wood cabin. Then, the corners are fastened by putting a long metal rod through the holes. Cedar Compost bins are also popular and are often made in different sections (usually two or three) for easy rotating and are a nice aesthetic alternative to a plastic or garbage can compost bin. Make sure to use wood that isn’t treated.

Garbage Can Compost Bins

Simply punch holes in a metal or plastic garbage can, put your material in and keep it moist. If you are using a metal garbage can, you need to elevate it with some bricks or spare wood to keep it from rusting.