Ever since we started composting back in 2008 at our old house, we’ve enjoyed the process — free fertilizer, turning “trash” into useful material, and a gentle nudge to eat more compostable foods. Our composting efforts, however, were limited by the size of the DIY compost container we built three years ago. We eventually added a second bin, but neither matched the larger commercial systems or the ambitious pallet bins featured in DIY magazines.
When we first built the small bin in 2008, I had planned to make a more substantial system out of shipping pallets after seeing inspiring examples online. Tracking down and hauling bulky pallets felt like more than I was ready to take on, so we started with a simple bin and planned to upgrade later. Fast forward three years: after receiving patio supplies delivered on pallets, I finally had the excuse to build the pallet compost bin I’d wanted. It only took us a few months to decide exactly where to place it. We chose a discreet corner of the yard that was out of direct view, didn’t disrupt the lawn, and was convenient enough to access without being right up against the house — just in case.
We picked the spot because it was fairly hidden, wouldn’t ruin the landscaping, and was handy to reach without worrying about potential smells near the house. The only landscape casualties were some ivy and a few weeds, a small price to pay. As I cleared the area, I uncovered some unexpected treasures: an old promotional frisbee and a plastic toy tire. It felt like composting was already paying off with free surprises.
After more work with a shovel and rake, the site was cleared and level. Online resources offered mixed advice about whether to place a pallet base on the ground. Some people recommended it; others said pallet slats could snag pitchforks or make turning the pile difficult. Some suggested slanted bases to collect the nutrient-rich “compost tea.” I decided to keep things simple and level: a flat square of soil would be our base for now.
With the area prepared, I gathered supplies: three shipping pallets, a handful of 2″ wood screws, an electric screwdriver, work gloves, and a shovel. Since we already owned everything, the project cost nothing. Even better, assembly took roughly 20 minutes (photo time not included). I always brace for small projects to go long or throw curveballs, so it was a pleasant surprise that this one really was quick and straightforward.
I dug a small trench, about four inches deep, along the back edge so the first pallet would sit snugly. I then placed the second pallet beside it to form one side. I positioned the closely-spaced slats facing inward to reduce compost spillage while still allowing airflow — ventilation helps the decomposition process and keeps odors down.
To secure the pallets, I drilled three screws through adjoining boards — top, middle, and bottom. Tutorials often suggest zip ties as an alternative, but I had screws and a drill on hand, so I used them. The pallets were already fairly stable, so the screws provided a reassuring bit of reinforcement.
I repeated the same process to attach the third pallet on the opposite side, creating a three-sided enclosure. Some instructions recommend adding a fourth pallet with hinges as a front door, and others add a bottom pallet for elevation. I didn’t want the extra complexity or the need for hinges, so I improvised: a scrap piece of wood, secured with two leftover stakes, became a simple removable front panel. It holds in place well and can be removed easily when it’s time to turn the pile or harvest finished compost.
As the pile grows, I can always add more boards or taller stakes to increase capacity. For now, the simple three-sided pallet bin with a removable front panel does exactly what we need.
To start the compost, I added a layer of brown leaves from the yard. We’re still relatively new to composting in a practical sense, even after several years of doing it. We’ve picked up tips here and there: stir or “turn” the pile occasionally, keep a small lidded container under the sink for kitchen scraps that we empty into the bin a couple of times a week, and keep a list of compostable items handy. Compost tends to be forgiving — it mostly does its job without constant intervention — and we’ve never had odor problems.
If you’re concerned about using potentially treated wood from pallets, an easy precaution is to use the resulting compost on non-edible plants, like flower beds rather than vegetable or herb gardens. That’s what we plan to do. We’re a bit late in the season to expect much usable compost this year, but by next season we hope to have plenty of rich, free fertilizer. A little ivy could eventually grow around the pallets to help them blend into the landscape, or we might stain or paint the pallets to match the yard colors.
Do any of you use a pallet compost bin or another type of composting system? How has it worked out? Any tips or lessons learned as we begin this next chapter of composting? And has anyone else accidentally grown a pumpkin from their compost? That’s our proudest composting achievement so far.