15 DIY Compost Bin Plans

Composting is an excellent way to reduce waste and create nutrient-rich fertilizer for your garden. With a little effort, you can build your own compost bin tailored to your space and needs. We’ve compiled 15 DIY compost bin plans to help you get started composting at home. From simple bins made of pallets to more elaborate tumbling composters, you’re sure to find an option that fits your gardening style.

Why Build Your Own Compost Bin?

Constructing your own compost bin has many advantages over purchasing a pre-made one:

Cost savings – DIY compost bins are much less expensive than commercial models. The materials are often free or low-cost.
Customization – You can build a composter to perfectly fit your space and composting needs.
Aesthetics – DIY bins allow you to match the look and feel of your backyard.
Satisfaction – Building something with your own two hands is rewarding and empowering.
Quality materials – You can use high-quality woods or metals to construct a sturdy, long-lasting compost bin.

Compost Bin Considerations

Before selecting a DIY compost bin plan, keep these key factors in mind:

Volume – How much compost do you expect to produce? Bigger households will need larger bins.
Style – Do you prefer a rotating tumbler, multi-bin, enclosed bin, or open pile?
Materials – What you build the bin out of depends on your construction skills, budget, and visual appeal.
Accessibility – Make sure you can easily open and access the bin to turn and retrieve finished compost.
Location – Situate your compost bin in a partially shady, well-draining spot near a water source and garden area.

1. Wood Pallet Bin

Wood pallets make excellent compost bins – they’re widely available for free or cheap, easy to assemble, and have built-in airflow gaps between the slats.

Materials:

4 wood pallets
16 3″ screws
Power drill

Instructions:

Gather 4 pallets of the same size. Disassemble if needed.
Arrange pallets into a square or rectangular shape.
Secure pallets together at the corners using 3″ screws, 2 per corner.
(Optional) Use scrap wood to reinforce the corners.
Place compost bin in the selected location in your yard.

2. Wood and Wire Cylinder Bin

This style of compost tumbler bin allows excellent airflow from all sides while containing the compost inside the cylinder. The wooden slatted sides provide stability while the wire mesh keeps scraps contained but allows you to monitor progress.

Materials:

1 x 3″ pressure-treated lumber, cut into boards (amount depends on height)
Chicken wire or hardware cloth
Nuts, bolts, washers
3″ deck screws
Scrap wood for the cylinder ends
1″ PVC pipe for the axle

Instructions:

Cut two circles the desired diameter out of scrap wood for each end.
Cut wood boards to length based on the cylinder height you want.
Arrange and screw boards into a cylinder using 3″ deck screws.
Wrap chicken wire around the outside and secure with staples.
Sandwich cylinder ends between two smaller wooden circles on either side.
Bolt the end plates together through the centered 1″ PVC pipe.
Insert a longer 1″ PVC pipe through the cylinder to serve as the axle.

3. Wood and Wire Three Bin System

This multi-bin composter provides dedicated space for composting at different stages. The wooden dividers allow you to keep piles separated while chicken wire walls contain the contents.

Materials:

1 x 8″ pressure-treated lumber for front/back boards
1 x 4″ lumber for dividers
Chicken wire
Landscape fabric (optional)
3″ screws
Nuts, bolts, staples

Instructions:

Cut two pieces of 1 x 8″ lumber to the desired bin length. These are the front and back boards.
Cut two pieces of 1 x 4″ lumber to fit tightly between the front and back boards, dividing the bin into thirds.
Cut chicken wire to fit the front, back, and sides. Staple to fasten onto wooden boards.
Stack the bin pieces, using dividers to separate into three sections.
Optional: Add landscape fabric between the wires and wood for a tidier look.
Secure all pieces together with screws and bolts.

4. Concrete Block Bin

Concrete blocks provide a sturdy foundation for building simple and low-cost compost bins. Stacked blocks include ventilation gaps while neatly containing the pile.

Materials:

Concrete blocks – approximately 36-50
Outdoor glue or mortar (optional)

Instructions:

Arrange concrete blocks into a square, rectangle, or circle shape on level ground where you want the compost bin positioned.
The interior space should be at least 3′ x 3′ or diameter.
Stack blocks 2-3 high, staggering vertical seams.
Glue or mortar blocks together for extra stability if desired.
Leave gaps between blocks for airflow. Cover open top with wire mesh to contain compost.

5. Garbage Can Composter

A regular plastic garbage can makes an excellent compost tumbler bin. The enclosed drum design allows you to easily rotate the can to aerate and mix the contents.

Materials:

32 gallon garbage can (or similar size)
Power drill
1/2″ PVC pipe or wooden dowel for axle

Instructions:

Drill 8-10 rows of 1″ holes around the garbage can for airflow. Space rows 6″ apart vertically.
Drill one 1″ hole on each side of can, halfway up, for PVC pipe axle.
Insert PVC or wooden rod through axle holes.
To turn, simply rotate the garbage can around the axle rod.
Use lid to cover top while composting. Remove to access finished compost.

6. Wire Hoop Bin

Bending wire into a circle creates a quick and easy compost bin. The hoops provide structure while the wire mesh contains the compost.

Materials:

Chicken wire or hardware cloth
Steel wire hoops (or bendable aluminum rods)

Instructions:

Cut wire mesh into a 36″ wide piece, allowing extra length for the ends to overlap.
Bend steel wire into 36″ diameter hoops, one for each end.
Space hoops approximately 3 feet apart and insert into each end of the wire mesh cylinder.
Overlap ends of wire mesh and fasten together with twist ties or wire.

5.OPTIONAL: Create wooden end caps to cover exposed wire edges.

7. Wood and Mesh Holding Unit Bin

Constructing a simple wood frame and fastening wire mesh to it creates a basic, space-efficient compost bin.

Materials:

1 x 2″ wood boards, cut to size
Wire mesh
3″ deck screws
Staple gun

Instructions:

Cut two boards equaling the width and two boards equaling the depth for your bin size.
Assemble into a rectangle or square shape using deck screws.
Cut wire mesh to overlap edges by at least 6″. Stretch taut across frame.
Staple mesh securely to boards every 4-6 inches around.
Fold over excess mesh at corners and staple to sides.

8. Wood Pallet and Wire Bin

Combining the structure of wood pallets with the containment of wire mesh makes a compost bin that’s easy to access and maintain.

Materials:

2 or more wood pallets
Wire mesh
Zip ties
Staple gun (optional)

Instructions:

Arrange pallets at right angles to create an open corner.
Cut wire mesh to size needed to cover open area.
Affix mesh to pallet wood using heavy duty zip ties or a staple gun if needed.
Cut access door out of one pallet slat to scoop finished compost.
Optional: attach pallets together with more zip ties or screws.

9. Wooden Barrel Bin

Re-purposing an old wooden barrel makes a charming compost bin with plenty of volume. The barrel’s slatted wood sides allow for airflow.

Materials:

Clean wooden barrel with one end intact
Jigsaw or circular saw
Wood slats or plywood circle (for top)
Power drill

Instructions:

Cut out the second end of the barrel using a jigsaw or circular saw.
Drill rows of 1-2″ holes around the barrel near the top and bottom for ventilation.
Place barrel with open slatted end down to rest on the ground.
Cut wood slats or a plywood circle to size to create a loose-fitting lid.

10. Wire Ring Bin

Bend wire into a ring shape to fashion a simple single-chamber compost bin. The open wire mesh allows for lots of air circulation.

Materials:

Chicken wire or hardware cloth
Zip ties (optional)

Instructions:

Cut wire into a length 2-3 times the desired diameter.
Bend wire into a circle, overlapping ends by several inches.
Use zip ties to connect the ends together if needed.
Optional: Create a wire ring lid of slightly smaller diameter to sit inside bin.

11. Wooden Pallet Bin with Tumbling Chamber

Adding a rotating drum to an open pallet bin speeds up the composting process. Turning the drum mixes air into the materials.

Materials:

2 wood pallets
1 clean 55 gallon barrel
Wood slats for drum end caps
3″ screws
PVC pipe for axle

Instructions:

Cut barrel to approximately 24″ long.
Use wood slats cut to size to cap the barrel ends.
Attach a length of PVC through the center of the barrel as an axle.
Set barrel tumbler into an open-front pallet bin, resting on supports.
Turn occasionally to mix and aerate compost.

12. Straw Bale Bin

Straw bales provide easy insulation to create a basic single-chamber compost bin. Over time, the straw breaks down and can be added to your compost.

Materials:

4-5 straw bales
Twine

Instructions:

Arrange bales into a square- or rectangle-shaped enclosure.
Stack bales 2-3 high.
Wrap twine horizontally around bales several times to secure the shape.
Optional: Insert a length of PVC pipe into the bales to create a ventilation chimney.

13. Wooden Trash Can Bin

Turn a regular trash can into a compost bin by cutting out one plastic end and replacing it with a wooden slatted cover for airflow. The trash can acts as a chamber to contain and turn compost.

Materials:

Clean 32 gallon trash can
1/2″ plywood or 2×4 cedar slats
Power drill
3″ screws

Instructions:

Rinse trash can thoroughly to eliminate odors. Remove plastic bottom.
Cut plywood circle or wooden slats to size to cover bottom opening.
Drill plywood/slats and screw loosely to bottom of can.
Drill rows of ventilation holes near top of trash can sides.
To turn compost, simply rotate entire can.

14. Aluminum Ring Bin

Bending aluminum flashing into a ring makes a movable compost bin. Notching the ends allows you to easily disconnect and move it around your yard.

Materials:

Aluminum flashing, approx 3′ x 4′
Tin snips
Needle nose pliers

Instructions:

Measure and cut a length of flashing 3-4′ longer than desired circumference.
Bend into a circle and overlap ends by 3-4″.
Use pliers to notch overlapping ends like a jigsaw puzzle.
Press ends together to connect ring.
Move bin by disconnecting notched ends.

15. Wooden Multi-Bin Unit

Constructing a set of multiple compartments allows you to produce an ongoing batch of finished compost.

Materials:

1 x 6″ boards
2 x 4″ boards
3″ screws
Wheelbarrow handles (optional)

Instructions:

Cut two boards the total length you want the bin system. These are the sides.
Cut multiple divider boards to size of the interior width.
Assemble side-by-side with dividers spaced evenly to create compartments.
Add a front/back board cut to size.
Attach handles if desired.
Place entire unit on blocks or bricks.

Final Thoughts

Building your own compost bin saves money while allowing you to recycle yard and food waste into organic fertilizer for your garden. Follow one of these 15 DIY compost bin plans to create the perfect system to suit your space, skills, and composting needs. Pair your composter with the right balance of materials, moisture, and airflow, and you’ll be harvesting finished compost in no time. What DIY compost bin design will you create?

Frequently Asked Questions About DIY Compost Bins

What size should a compost bin be?

The ideal size for a compost bin is at least 3 cubic feet (1m x 1m x 1m) to allow proper heat retention and air flow. Bins smaller than this won’t compost as efficiently.

What materials work best for DIY compost bins?

Common materials for DIY compost bins include wood pallets, chicken wire, hardware cloth, straw bales, concrete blocks, and plastic barrels or garbage cans.

Should a compost bin have a lid?

Lids are optional for compost bins. They help retain heat and moisture while keeping pests out. But leaving bins uncovered also allows rainwater to enter and enhances airflow.

Can you use treated lumber to build compost bins?

It’s best to avoid pressure-treated lumber for DIY compost bins, as the chemicals can leach into your compost. Untreated plywood, cedar, and pine are better suited.

Where is the best place to put a compost bin?

Ideally, situate DIY compost bins in a partially shady spot near a water source and garden area. Choose a level site with good drainage and access to turn piles.

How many compost bins do I need?

Start with at least two compost bin spaces – one actively composting materials, and one for finished compost to cure before using on your garden. More bins allow you to compost in batches.

Should I put my compost bin directly on the ground?

Sitting your DIY compost bin directly on soil helps provide beneficial organisms, but elevating bins on bricks or wooden blocks also improves drainage and airflow underneath.

How important is ventilation for compost bins?

Proper airflow is crucial for maintaining aerobic conditions and allowing heat release during composting. DIY bins should include open spaces, slats, and holes for ventilation.

Can I turn compost with a DIY bin?

Look for DIY compost bin designs that allow access to turn and mix materials from one side. Or integrate tumbling chambers which make turning compost easier.

What can I use to fasten materials when building a compost bin?

Screws, staples, zip ties, and even glue are useful for assembling DIY compost bins. Nuts and bolts allow you to disassemble bins for rebuilding or harvesting finished compost.

So there you have it – 15 different plans for building your own DIY compost bin! With a little bit of time, effort and creativity, you can construct a custom composter that’s perfectly suited for your needs and gardening style. Happy composting!