17+ Easy Affordable DIY Compost Bin Ideas

Composting is a natural process in which biodegradable matter such as food waste, garden waste, and human waste are broken down into smaller molecules in the presence of oxygen by bacteria, fungi, and other microbial organisms.

It is, in fact, nature’s way of recycling the waste. Apart from the obvious advantage of handling your waste and significantly reducing it, compost manure are heavily nutritious to the soil.

Plants and trees grow very well when supplemented with compost manure. One can safely and effectively create their compost bin in your household by few effective ways.

• Using worm compost
• Without using worm compost

How do you make a simple compost bin?

There are several ways to make a compost bin from scratch. Depending on your skill-level and requirement, the most common compost bins in a house are prepared using pallets. One can also use old home wood, chicken wire, and straw bales as well.

For a healthy compost bin, one also needs to carefully select the material that he/she is putting into the bin. A mix of green and brown waste material is usually preferred. For convenience, it is better to place your compost bin in the backyard, outside your house area.

What can I use for a compost bin?

Compost bins can be made using plastic (since it is non-biodegradable), cement, hollow-bricks, stones, and wood pallets.

Does a compost bin need a lid?

Though a compost bin doesn’t need to have a lid at all times, having one helps control the water (moisture) and heat content inside the bin.

Can you put banana peels in compost?

It is OK to put banana peels in compost. Though it takes more time for the matter to compost, there is fundamentally nothing wrong in adding banana peels to your compost bin. Inclusion of banana peels to compost will supplement the mix with several nutrients such as Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Sulfur, and Magnesium.

Is it OK to have maggots in my compost?

It is OK to have maggots in your compost. These little creatures help break down the complex organic compounds into simpler molecules, thereby shortening the overall process time.

Do compost bins attract rats?

The smell of raw food is bound to attract rats and other rodents to the compost bin. Therefore, it is advisable not to add cooked food waste to the compost pile.

If needed, you can make a separate compost pit to treat cooked food waste. Also, it makes sense to cover the compost pits tightly and securely to keep rodents away from the compost bin.

What is the best method of composting?

The most simple and seemingly best way to handle composting is home composting. There are multiple ways of composting such as

• In a pile
• In bins
• With worms
• In a hole under the ground
• In layers on the ground

Home composting in bins or pits is an environmentally-friendly way and reduces the waste output from your kitchen and house. This method of composting can happen throughout the year with the most optimal time being late summer to early winter as it provides better temperature.

Do I need worms to compost?

It is not mandatory to add worms in your compost artificially. However, certain earthworms significantly speed up the composting process and gives pure organic compost as the product.

3 compost bin plans

Few ideas for compost bin include

· Three bin compost bin using wood pallets
· 5-gallon bucket compost bin
· Cardboard box based compost bin
· Drum styled compost bin

1. Ultimate Compost Bin

Source: backyardfeast

2. Willow Compost Pile

Source: instructables

3. Farmhouse Composter

Source: louiselangsner

4. Compost Bin DIY: Quick Pallet Project

Source: diyprojects

5. Pallet Compost Bin

Source: prodigalpieces

Pallet compost bins with 3 or 4 horizontal compartments, 4 tier worm compost bin, and angular pallet styled compost bins are some of the ideas that can be adopted while making compost bins from wooden pallets.

6. Double-Decker Drum Composter

Source: instructables

7. PVC Pipe

Source: desperategardener

8. DIY Compost Bin from Trash can under $20

Source: thehappyhousewife

9. Compost Bin From Hardware Cloth

Source: goodshomedesign

10. DIY Indoor Compost Bin: Milkcrate Composter

Source: instructables

Indoor compost bins can be as small as a bucket or a set of buckets attached, with each bucket specifically allotted for cooked food wastes/ raw organic wastes.

11. Log compost bin

Source: obsolete53ltl

12. Cardboard Compost Bin

Source: shaunsbackyard

13. Wine Barrel Compost

14. Used Tire Compost Bin

Source: rootsimple

15. Concrete Blocks Compost Bin

Source: blueplanetgreenliving

Compost bins built using cinder blocks are more durable than their wooden counterparts. It is also one of the safest materials to build a compost bin as it will not leach chemicals or sludge on to the ground.

16. Build 3-bin Composting system

Source: theownerbuildernetwork

17. Pallet Compost Bin

Source: lovelygreens

18. DIY compost bin tumbler

The advantage of a compost bin tumbler is that it can be moved around and rotated periodically to facilitate proper mixing of the waste material. This has a positive effect on the compost preparation time.

19. DIY compost bin wood

Wooden compost bins are relatively easier to build. Attaching five wooden panes with adhesives or welds can be the perfect example to a do-it-yourself compost bin. Treated wood might last longer than untreated wood. Old-growth wood is also a good option.

Conclusion

Composting is one of the innovative ways to recycle man-made wastes without harming the environment. Along with all the different ways mentioned, there are other ways to composting such as the ‘add-as-you-go’ compost pile.

This process significantly improves the soil structure, stimulates necessary microorganisms, and provides a balanced source of nutrients for the plants.