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Make a Compost Bin 101

Thanks to Jessi Smith for sharing her instructions for making a compost bin from a plastic trash can at home

After looking at the expensive plastic barrel style models, I chose to make a compost bin out of a trash can and saved myself about $100.

In order to turn the ordinary trash can into a compost bin, all I had to do was:

1) Drill holes in the bottom and sides of the can

2) Place the can on bricks to allow drainage from the bottom.

To mix, I simply roll the can around for a couple of minutes. So far, the bin is working great. I'm amazed at how much produce our household is wasting. Now, I'm shopping more often and buying less at a time.

Treehugger just posted a piece with three other DIY compost bin designs. Here are the videos:

Also adding this excellent how to from the University of Missouri Extension Office: How To Build A Compost Bin.

Tags: at-home, bin, can, compost, drill, trash

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Permalink Reply by Cornelia on April 5, 2012 at 12:10pm

I made one of these two seasons ago and have had great success with it. I actually don't put it up on bricks and it seems to be quite the wintertime worm resort. Just the other day I went to give it a tumble (while manually turning my earth machine) and found a gazillion baby earthworms. Sweet worm poop fertilizer!!

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Permalink Reply by David P. McMillen on April 6, 2012 at 12:35am

I made one this yr, just put holes in the side, not the bottom, I stir it up with a small garden trowel, and it is going nicely. No worms I can see, but a lot of little buggies. it's amazing how much stuff you put in it, and it just keeps reducing down! My trash can is definitely not as full on trash day anymore, which is great! If our city ever goes to pay as you throw, this will save me quite a bit of money, plus I am going to put my "profit into my little raised bed garden come fall so the soil will be nice and rich for next year!