Composting is a great way to reduce waste and create rich fertilizer for your garden. Making your own compost bin from plastic storage containers is an inexpensive and effective method. With a few basic supplies and a little know-how, you can build a functional compost bin and be on your way to making black gold for your plants.
Choosing the Right Plastic Storage Containers
The first step in making a compost bin is selecting the right plastic storage containers. Here are some tips:
- Size – Choose one or more containers that can hold at least 1 cubic foot of compost material. This gives you enough room for proper aeration and decomposition.
- Durability – Opt for sturdy, thick plastic that won’t crack or warp under pressure. Look for containers rated for outdoor use.
- Lid – Pick containers with detachable lids to retain heat and moisture while allowing air flow. Lids also prevent pests from getting in.
- Shape – Rectangular containers are ideal because they fit together nicely and maximize composting capacity.
- Holes – Make sure your containers have holes in the bottom for drainage. If not, you’ll need to drill them yourself.
Some popular options are Sterilite or Rubbermaid roughneck storage totes in 20-50 gallon sizes. Check local stores or online classifieds for used containers. Five gallon buckets can work too. Avoid thin plastic bins prone to cracking.
Tools and Supplies Needed
Gather these supplies before building your compost bin:
- Drill with 1/2″ drill bit (if drilling drainage holes)
- Jigsaw or heavy duty scissors (for cutting doors/windows)
- Utility knife
- Measuring tape
- Permanent marker
- Zip ties, bungee cords, or rope
- Packing tape or duct tape
You’ll also need something to cut openings in the containers, such as a drill or jigsaw for larger openings, or a utility knife for smaller holes. Having ties, tape, and a marker to label your bin are also handy.
Cutting Doors and Windows
One advantage of plastic storage containers is how easy they are to modify. Cut openings in the sides, tops, and bottoms of your containers to allow air flow and compost access.
Side openings act as doors to deposit materials and turn the compost. Cut one door near the bottom on one side, 10-12 inches tall and as wide as the container. Cut a second opening opposite it at the top for aeration.
Lid openings allow oxygen inside. Cut 5-6″ diameter holes in the lid aligned over the doors/windows. Screening or mesh can cover these to deter flies.
Bottom openings provide drainage. Drill rows of 1/2″ holes throughout the bottom or cut rectangular slits with a utility knife.
Assembling Your Bin
Once your containers are prepped, it’s time to put them together into a functioning compost bin. Here’s how:
- If stacking two containers, place one on top of the other with the door openings aligned.
- Position the openings so they are conveniently accessible. Face the door slit downwards for easy pouring.
- Secure stacked containers together with zip ties/bungee cords through top and bottom holes.
- Leave lids off the top container to allow oxygen flow through the lid holes you cut.
- Place a lid only on bottom container to retain heat and moisture.
- Label your bin and the front access door with permanent marker. Write “Compost” and the date started.
Your DIY plastic storage compost bin is now ready for materials!
What to Compost in Your Bin
Now it’s time to put your compost bin to work creating nutrient-rich fertilizer. What organic materials should go into your new composting system?
Greens – Nitrogen-Rich Materials
- Fruit and vegetable trimmings
- Grass clippings
- Green leaves
- Coffee grounds and filters
- Teabags
- Fresh herb and plant trimmings
- Sod/garden trimmings
- Livestock manure (no pet waste)
- Green uncooked kitchen scraps
Browns – Carbon-Rich Materials
- Dried leaves
- Woody brush and twigs
- Sawdust and wood chips
- Shredded cardboard and paper
- Paper towels/napkins
- Straw and hay
- Wood ash
- Nut shells
- Shredded newspaper
- Cotton and wool rags
Other Compostable Materials
- Eggshells
- Nut shells
- Feathers
- Hair and fur
- Cotton balls/q-tips
- Houseplants (no diseased)
- Stale bread, grains
- Shredded prunings
- Natural fiber string/twine
What Not to Compost
Avoid composting these:
- Pet waste or litter
- Meat, fish, bones
- Dairy products
- Oils, grease, lard
- Processed or treated wood
- Diseased plant materials
- Invasive weeds
- Synthetic fibers
Maintaining Proper Conditions
To create successful compost, your bin needs the right balance of materials, moisture, and oxygen. Follow these tips:
Balance Greens and Browns
Blend 2-3 parts browns with 1 part greens. Too many greens makes soggy, smelly compost. Too many browns creates slow decomposition.
Control Moisture
Compost should feel damp, like a wrung-out sponge. Turn and add water if too dry. Add browns if too wet.
Allow Oxygen Flow
Turn and mix materials 1-2 times per week. Poke holes with a stick to aerate. Leave doors uncovered.
Monitor Temperature
Compost should heat up to 110-150°F, then gradually cool down. This kills pathogens and seeds.
By maintaining ideal conditions, your compost will decompose efficiently into dark, crumbly, earthy-smelling humus in 2-4 months.
Troubleshooting Problems
Even well-managed compost bins can run into issues. Here are some common composting problems and solutions:
Slow decomposition – Add more nitrogen-rich greens, moisture, and turn more frequently. Break materials into smaller pieces.
Bad smell – Too much moisture and not enough air. Turn pile and add coarse browns like wood chips to improve airflow.
Pests – Rodents and flies attracted to food scraps. Cover pile with browns, screen lids, and stop adding scraps.
Low heat – Pile too small or lacks nitrogen. Make pile larger, add greens, and turn to aerate and restart heating process.
Ammonia smell – Too much green waste, usually nitrogen-heavy manure. Add more carbon from browns and turn pile.
Matted compost – Lack of turning allows compost to become compacted. Loosen pile with pitchfork and turn materials.
Using Composted Materials
Finished compost is dark brown, crumbly, and earthy-smelling, with no recognizable food scraps remaining. Here are some ways to use your homemade black gold:
- Mix into vegetable and flower gardens before planting
- Top dress lawns or around trees
- Add to potting soil for houseplants
- Make compost tea fertilizer by steeping compost in water
- Use for mud plaster, pottery, and other projects
- Bag and sell or gift excess compost
By continuing to add waste to your compost bin, you’ll create an ongoing supply of nutritious organic matter to nurture your garden naturally. Enjoy the fruits of your labor!
Frequently Asked Questions About Composting In Plastic Bins
How long does it take to compost in a plastic bin?
Active composting takes 2-4 months to break materials down fully. The process slows in colder weather but still continues at a slower pace through winter.
What size plastic bin do I need?
Look for one or more 20-50 gallon plastic containers which hold about 1 cubic foot of compost materials. This gives enough space for aerobic decomposition.
Do I need to drill holes in plastic containers for composting?
Yes, drilling numerous holes in the lids and especially bottoms allows vital airflow and drainage which is key to successful composting.
Can I use solid plastic containers with no holes?
It’s not recommended. Without holes, excess moisture gets trapped at the bottom and creates anaerobic conditions that slow and smell. Allowing air circulation gives best results.
What is the ideal location for my plastic compost bin?
Situate it directly on soil or grass in a shady spot near a water source and where it won’t be disturbed. Avoid full sun locations.
Should I put a lid on my plastic compost bin?
Leave the lid off the upper container to allow air flow. Only use a lid on the lower container to retain heat and moisture during the active composting period.
How often should I turn a plastic bin compost pile?
Aim to give the pile a turn or mix 1-2 times per week. This blends materials and improves aeration to speed decomposition. Monitor conditions and adjust as needed.
Can I compost meat, dairy, oils, or pet waste in a plastic bin?
Avoid these materials as they create foul odors and other issues. Only compost plant-based kitchen scraps and yard waste for best results.
Conclusion
Constructing your own compost bin from plastic storage containers is simple, cheap, and effective. Follow the steps for properly preparing and assembling the containers, maintain ideal composting conditions, and you’ll be rewarded with mountains of black gold compost to enrich your garden. This ecological method helps reduce waste while creating a free, organic fertilizer that plants thrive on. Turn trash to treasure by composting at home in plastic bins.