Building a Compost Bin: Recycle Waste from Your Kitchen and Yard

There are many types of compost bins you can build - or buy from a commercial establishment. Compost bins can be made from wire, metal, plastic or wood. No matter the type of bin you build, you need to make it easy to turn the compost. Some of the different types of compost bins include wire mesh bins, worm composting bins and wood and wire compost bins. The wood and wire bins can be stationary or portable.

If you wish to just make a compost heap outdoors, you can do that too - it should be 3 feet high by 3 feet wide. It needs to be in full sun and where it will not get damp. Using 4 by 4-inch timbers, create the four corners by driving the timbers into the ground. There should be about 4 feet above the ground and at least 2 feet below the ground to provide stability.

Make the sides out of timber that is an inch thick and 4 inches wide (2 by 4-inch timbers work great for this). Nail or screw the timbers onto the corner posts, leaving 4 inches between the timbers. Do this on three sides. On the fourth side, screw a 1 by 1 inch board on each of the far sides of the 4 by 4-inch timber - this would be, as you are facing the open end, the left-most side of the left 4 by 4-inch timber and the right side of the right 4 by 4-inch timber. If your boards are 2 inches thick, you will need to screw in one more 1 by 1-inch board on top of the first 1 by 1-inch board. Screw a 1 by 6-inch board to the top of the 1 by 1-inch boards, letting the overhang hang towards the middle of the compost bin. You will now be able to slide 2 by 4-inch boards in the slots. You can also use 2 by 6-inch boards, but they may be heavier to move by your self.

Make sure all the wood you use is pressure treated, so it does not rot away. Once the bin is built, you can start adding plant matter (make sure it is not infested with pests or is not diseased) and food matter from the kitchen. Do not add meat to the bin - only fruit and vegetable matter. Adding earthworms to the compost bin will help compost the matter. Turn the compost every other day.