Composting is an easy, low-cost way to reduce household waste and produce a nutrient-rich soil amendment for your garden. You can create a functional compost bin in about an hour using simple materials you likely already have at home. Below is a straightforward guide to building and maintaining a basic plastic-bin composter—perfect for beginners.
There are many types of composting systems, from simple bins to larger pallet systems or tumblers. This guide focuses on a compact, affordable bin that works well in backyards, patios, or small outdoor spaces. The goal is to keep the process simple so you can start composting right away.
Steps For Making Your DIY Compost Bin
- Find a plastic storage bin
- Drill holes in the bin
- Create a dry base
- Add dirt
- Toss in food scraps
- Mix and moisten
Step 1: Select Your Bin
Choose a sturdy plastic storage bin with a tight-fitting lid, about 24 inches tall or taller. A lid helps retain moisture and keeps animals and pests out. A 30-gallon bin is a common and practical size. Dark-colored bins warm more easily in cool climates, while neutral tones blend in with landscaping.
Step 2: Drill Holes In Your Bin
Drill 8–10 small holes in the bottom of the bin to provide essential airflow. Use a 3/16″ drill bit or similar size. Proper ventilation supplies oxygen for the microbes that break down organic matter.
Repeat the same pattern of holes in the lid. Those openings help with air exchange while still allowing the lid to be closed securely once the bin is filled.
Step 3: Create Your Brown Base
Composting works best with a balance of “browns” (carbon-rich materials) and “greens” (nitrogen-rich materials). Start with a base layer of dry leaves, shredded paper, or twigs, filling the bottom of the bin about 1/8 to 1/4 full. This brown layer helps maintain airflow and absorbs excess moisture.
Step 4: Add Dirt
Add a layer of garden soil or topsoil over the brown base until the container is about half full. The soil introduces beneficial microorganisms that speed decomposition. Worms are helpful but not required to get your compost started.
Step 5: Toss In Your Food Scraps
Now add your “greens.” Acceptable items include fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and filters, tea bags, eggshells, nutshells, paper, cardboard, and yard clippings. Avoid dairy, oily foods, and pet waste to prevent odors and pests.
- Fruit and vegetable scraps
- Coffee grounds, coffee filters, or tea bags
- Eggshells and nutshells
- Paper or cardboard
- Yard or grass clippings
Mix small amounts of lint, shredded paper, or dry yard waste with food scraps to maintain a good carbon-to-nitrogen balance. Keeping this balance helps prevent odors and supports a faster, cleaner composting process.
Step 6: Stir Your Compost
Occasionally stir or turn the contents with a shovel or stick to introduce oxygen and distribute moisture. Cover fresh food scraps with soil or brown material to reduce smells and deter pests. Turning once every few weeks helps speed decomposition.
Step 7: Moisten
Keep the pile moist but not waterlogged. A light spray or a few cups of water is usually enough. Overly wet compost becomes anaerobic and can produce unpleasant odors; too dry, and decomposition slows down.
Step 8: Find a Convenient Spot
Place the bin in a shaded, well-drained area away from direct sunlight to prevent drying out. If you live in an apartment, a patio or balcony works fine. Keep the bin accessible so you’ll use it regularly; a discreet spot behind shrubs or near the garage is ideal.
Step 9: Collect Compostables Indoors
Keep a sealed container under the sink or in the kitchen to collect food scraps between trips outside. An airtight container prevents odors and makes it convenient to transport scraps to your outdoor bin when it’s time to add more material.
When Is Your Compost Ready to Use?
Compost maturity varies with bin size, materials, and how often you add new scraps. It can take a few months to a year. Look for these signs before using your compost:
- Materials are fully broken down with no recognizable food pieces
- A pleasant, earthy smell rather than sour or acidic odors
- The pile is no longer warm—roughly the same temperature as the surrounding air
- Dark, crumbly texture rather than wet and clumpy
Finished compost can be used as mulch, mixed into potting soil, or sprinkled on lawns as a conditioner. Keep some finished compost on hand to seed new batches; saving about one-third helps maintain the microbial activity for future cycles. Consider setting up a second bin so you can keep adding scraps while the first bin finishes decomposing.
This simple system is affordable and effective; with minimal investment you can significantly reduce kitchen waste and improve soil health around your home.
Originally published August 21, 2008.
