How do you eliminate your food waste (green and brown waste)? Do you just dump them in the garbage can? Yes, waste is meant to be disposed of, but composting is the better way to go. Your environment will thank you for this; if you have plants, this high nutrient soil will immensely support the plant growth.
Composting is an easy process, and every household can adopt it. It involves mixing organic matter and leaving them to decompose, resulting in a rich soil mixture for your lawn, flowers, & vegetables.
For most compost, you first need a compost bin to throw in your fruits, coffee grounds, tea bags, paper, and many more. If you are new to composting, we have easy plans that won’t cost you anything, and you can find all you need around the house. On the other hand, if you have been composting already, we have many ideas, supposing you’re considering upgrading your current compost bin.
Follow us through our list of 55 DIY compost bin ideas you can make easily and select the right one for you.
Table of Contents
Quick and Easy Bin Plans
1. Three Bin Compost Bin
Do you know why you need three bins? While the compost in the first bin is completely ready, you will still have a second bin with half-ready compost, plus you’ll still have an extra bin to start building up new compost. It will help you organize your compost and have enough compost all around the year.
So, you don’t have a boring wooden bin in your backyard, and you can paint yours with exciting colors. View tutorial.
2. Two-In-One Compost Bin
Supposing you have leftover lumber from other wood projects, you can consider using them to build these two in one compost bin. You can use old pallets from other projects if they aren't enough. Each compost bin measures 3’ by 3’ wide and 2’ high. The bin is assembled in such a way that the front stiles are removable for easy access when shoveling your compost out of the bin. View plan to build yours.
3. Wine Barrel Compost Bin
Any wine barrels at home? You can turn your wine barrels into compost bins. Build the three rotating barrels to give you enough room to build a lot of compost. Even if you don’t garden, you can give your friends and family the compost. On the other hand, you sell the compost to anyone that gardens.
4. Compost Bin With Straw Bales
If you have many straw bales, you are in luck. You can use them to create compost bins. The benefits of using straw bales to make a compost bin are endless, plus this is not a permanent thing. Anytime you want it removed, you can do so. Follow the tutorial for more instructions on how to build this straw bale compost bin. There is also a list of tips and tricks in the tutorial about straw bales that will be nice to know before you begin building.
5. Woven Basket Compost Bin
Get those willow rods and start weaving your new compost bin. This project is really easy and fun to work on. Involve your children too. They will love it. Whatever rods you want to use must be a flexible kind. Suppose you do not have willow rods. You can try dogwoods also. If you are going with this compost bin design, you need to start your planning on time. Plan on how to cut your rods in January because, after February, any attempt to cut the rod will damage the plant. View tutorial.
6. Wood Pallet Compost Bin
Instead of tossing old things away, it's always great finding new ways to make them useful. These repurposed pallets are great because they allow ventilation. So here, we have four pallet boards secured together using zip ties. See step-by-step instructions here.
7. Landscape Timber Compost Bin
Create this simple compost bin by using landscaping timbers. The size is an 8ft by 8ft composter. It will cost you around $50 if you don’t have the supplies and are about to buy them. This build is easy, as it only takes 1-2 steps. See the plan here.
8. Repurposed Wheelbarrow and Barrel Type Compost Bin
Following the instructions in this tutorial, the builder, Marty, was able to come up with this. If you have all the materials listed, your composter will be ready in no time.
9. Plastic Compost Bin
If you have this plastic tote or any closeable container, you can use them for this. Cut out holes for them for aeration purposes. In order to prevent unwanted neighbors from coming in (rats, dogs, and other critters), use chicken wire to close the holes, and your compost bin is ready. See tutorial.
10. Bucket Compost Bin
Another bucket you can easily get and convert into a compost bin for your vermicomposting journey. Follow this post to learn how to make a worm pin and also know the kind of material to throw into your bin.
11. Five Tiered Wooden Compost Bin
This is a written and video tutorial to help you understand every detail and step involved. This compost bin is made up of five smaller bins stacked on top of each other. This compost bin won’t cost you much if you have wooden boards at home.
12. Compost Bin with Door
This compost bin with shower door from Organic Gardening Magazine is a good project. This shower door was put to aid decomposition quickly by heating the compost. If you find this kind of shower door at any shop close to you, be sure to get it for this project.
13. Trash Can Compost Bin
You can turn your plastic trash can into a composter. Make sure to make some holes in the bottom base, sides, and lid of the trash can. When this is done, your compost bin is ready. And remember to roll the bin from time to time to mix everything up. See the post for more information.
14. Easy Compost Bin
Another easy-to-make wood compost bin. Do you have old fence pickets or wood pallets? If you don’t have any, don’t fuss, you can always buy them as they are super cheap. Also, get metal mesh (hardware Cloth) to staple to the top and sides of your compost bin. See post.
15. Odour-Free Indoor Compost Bin
If you don’t have any space outside the house to make a compost bin, you have to settle for an indoor compost bin. So you need an odorless indoor bin. Follow the instructions on this post to know what you must do to ensure your compost bin remains odorless. See post from Apartment Therapy.
16. Tire and Barrel Bin
Here we have a metal drum with old tires. The function of the tire is to make the composter easily rollable. Mixing up the compost is an important step to help decompose all the materials easily and for equal airflow. So, this tire will always make the composter easy to roll. View tutorial.
17. Milkcrate Compost Bin
You can also use milk crates as a compost bin. Since this milk crate has a lot of holes, we will have no problem with aeration. You will have to cover the bottom layer before pouring in your scraps so they do not fall off. Also, look for a board to place on top of the crate as a lid. You can find a heavy material like a stone to keep the lid firm. View tutorial source.
18. Decorative Lumber Compost Bin
Super easy project and everyone can attempt it. Nothing complex about this plan. The plan is made in such a way that the front panel can be slid off. Follow the steps to join the necessary parts and complete them by assembling them outside.
19. Mesh Type Compost Bin
The main material for this is the mesh hardware cloth. With it, the compost can breathe and even decompose faster. Follow to get the tips and tricks involved in building this compost bin from Goods Home Design.
20. Wood and Mesh Drum Style Compost Bin
The compost needs stirring from time to time. This drum style rotates, allowing air to pass through, so it can breathe and not smell. Follow the post to know the materials involved and also learn how to build the rotating drum composter.
21. Cedar Compost Bin
You should be keen about amending your soil with compost if you have a garden. You should have at least two compost bins for a start. What do you think about the cedar compost bin? The bins were made from cedar, and the front board is removable to allow you to stir the compost properly. See the tutorial to build this compost bin.
22. Carton Box
It's good to find a good use for things that lay around without use. That’s why upcycle projects are my favorites. I have a lot of boxes that I end up disposing of, but since I found this out, all my cardboard boards have become useful. So, I implore you to try this method out if you have a lot of thick, reasonably sized carton boxes. See the post to see how to set and prepare the box for composting.
23. Dustin Can Compost Bin
The rope on top of this compost bin is a means of securing the lid tightly to prevent rabbits and other unwanted pests. Follow the link to understand more about using a trash can as a compost bin.
24. 3X3 Compost Bin
This is another compost bin design. The builder first listed all the criteria he wanted the compost bin to meet. The project will take about 4-6 hours to complete, and you need chicken wire or hardware cloth as part of the materials needed for this project. Follow the post for all the details needed, including the cut list.
25. Decorated Concrete Compost Bin
Follow Allan Block to know how he built this compost bin. You’ll need concrete blocks, concrete block caps, wood frames, and chicken wires.
26. Log Worm Composting Bin
Do you have a lot of logs, or do you have somewhere you can get them from? Once you're ready, you can build this compost bin. Be sure you have an area in your backyard where you build this before you continue. View source.
27. Raised Garden with Compost Bin
Before heading out to get the concrete blocks you need for the project, you must ensure enough area is marked out for this. This is a good one to adopt if you don’t want to have a raised bed and compost bin separately. This type of garden bed is called a keyhole garden bed because of its shape. View the post to tell you all about this design.
28. Two-Way Concrete Composting Bin
Two bin compost bin doesn’t have to be built with wood alone; you can do the same with blocks too. If you have leftover blocks from other projects, you should consider using them for this. View the post for all details.
29. Stacked Tire Compost Bin
What did I say about not spending at all on composting projects? You don't have to spend a dime if you have unwanted tires at home. Stack them up for this project in a location that is suitable for it. View the compost bin.
30. Cinder Block Bin
This design is another block plan for composting. The builder first started by creating a list of requirements he wanted for his bin. Next, he headed to build a bin covering all the requirements, one of which was durability. No power tools are needed for the project. Follow the post to learn more.
31. Moveable Compost Bin with Wooden Fence
This bin is created in such a way that all sides can be removable. The materials, tools, estimated price listing, and plans are available on the tutorial source. Since all parts of this bin are removable, you can always change the position of this compost bin.
32. Tumbler Type Compost Bin
If you do not have a drum to do this, you can use a trash can too. Construct your frame and make sure that it is high enough for your trash can. Before I forget, make sure that whatever container you use should have a tight lid. Or you can construct a lock for it. Hence, the content won’t fall off whenever you turn your compost bin.
33. Compost Crib
This is a very durable compost bin and requires low maintenance. To build this, follow this detailed step-by-step tutorial.
34. Trash Can Composter
This is also a trash can converted into a compost bin. Drill a few holes at the sides, on top and bottom. The trash can is elevated by putting a few pavers under it, making it easy for aeration. See the post.
35. Compost Bin with Cage and Carton
This design is an X-mark compost with a cardboard box secured firmly with an iron square grid. The X-mark beneath the compost bin is a channel for excess moisture to drain and allows air to get into the compost.
36. Chicken Wire Compost Bin
This is a good alternative if you do not want to go through the wood construction process. You build this compost bin using chicken wire or hardware cloth, and Mother Earth Living will help you through the process.
37. Old Fridge Worm Composting Bin
If you have one of these old fridges in your backyard, you can turn it into a compost bin. You have to use a shovel to mix the compost from time to time. Source.
38. Beautiful Worm Composter
This three compost bin system will give you enough “garden gold,” and it's so durable that you will use it for years to come. Follow the post to see how to create this compost bin.
39. Compost Bin Made with Corrugated Iron
You can use corrugated iron to build a compost bin too. See the tutorial for more instructions.
40. Simple Kitchen Compost Bin
This compost bin is a handy bin you keep in your kitchen, so you easily collect the scraps needed for compost. At the end of the day, you can dump them in the bigger compost bin outside the house. All you need is a little container and make a few holes in its lid. This counter bin is a must-have, so you don't have to start sorting your pile of trash for biodegradable materials. Read through this post from Jess and another from Planet Pals to get more information.
41. Plastic Worm Composter
Get containers of equal size, stack them up, and drill holes in the appropriate position as instructed by the builder. Get a good lid, and then start your worm composting journey. View plan.
42. Double Compost Bin
This double compost bin from Rogue Engineer is a nice project. There is a printable PDF on the post to be downloaded. This printable PDF will help you build the compost bin. Follow the tutorial to get all the details and instructions you need for this project.
43. Lattice Compost Bin
For me, I always love things different from the norm. If you can find a lattice panel, you can build a compost bin with it, following all the instructions in this tutorial. Since the lattice panel has an opening, there is no need to drill holes as we do with the plastic containers.
44. Old Dresser Compost Bin
You can repurpose your old dresser into an indoor compost bin. If you have a bit of carpentry skill, you can try building a cover with hinges for it. However, don’t fuss if you can’t build that. Just get a cloth or board and cover it tightly. See the tutorial to help you out.
45. Small Wood Compost Bin
Here is a tutorial to follow if this is the design you’ve chosen to recreate. All instructions you need and tools used are provided in this post.
46. Cinder Block Compost Bin
Follow the tutorial for step-by-step instructions on how to build the cinder block compost bin. You can also learn one or two things from here too.
47. Simple Rollable Barrel
Watch this video to learn how to create this barrel compost bin for yourself.
48. Rotating Wine Barrel
If you come across a wine barrel, put it to good use, like a project like this. Again, this wine barrel will look good in your backyard. Learn how to build this project.
49. Tea Pot-Like Composting Bin
This is a giant teapot made out of hardware cloth. If you can craft something like this, you can use it as a compost bin while it also adds beauty to the environment. Source.
50. Plastic Barrel Compost Bin
This compost bin is constructed in such a way that it can rotate. A 2X4 wood frame was used because it’s enough to carry the barrel off the ground. If your barrel is higher, get a taller wood and can get the barrel off the ground for easy rotation. The whole detail of the project is in this post.
51. Plastic Tote Compost Bin
I wasn’t joking when I said you don’t really have to spend much on composting. You can grab one of your plastic tote containers and start composting. The container should have a tight-fitted lid cover to help keep unwanted animals out. Also, drill some holes at the bottom of the container. If you don't have a drill, use a nail, stone, or hammer. See the post for every detail you need.
52. Double Rotating Barrel Bin
This project is a two-tier compost bin. You are free to make yours one or three, depending on the plastic barrel you have. The important part of this plan is making the frame. Without the frame, you won’t be able to achieve the spinning compost bin. Overall, the frame is really easy to build once you have all the materials needed. Follow the steps in the tutorial to build yours and prepare the plastic drum for its job.
53. Small Plastic Bin
The builder calls this a mini worm composting bin. They decided to start out small to ensure success, as the last attempt at worm casting was a tragedy. Mainly because they used the wrong worm for the job, this mini-plan is also a way to get the kids involved in composting at a young age. You know what they say, “catch them young.” Read more about how to make this mini worm composter.
54. Simple Indoor Compost Bin
You can use this bag for worm composting, and it's easier to separate the worms from the finished compost without getting yourself dirty using this worm bag. To build this exactly, you have to follow the step-by-step process by Instructables.
55. A Rotating Wood Barrel Compost Bin
This project is another well-built rotating barrel compost bin. This time around, it wasn’t built with plastic or hardware cloth; instead, the whole body is made of wood. Trust that when we say this compost bin is so easy to build. The materials needed are only 2X4 wood and nails - and Voila! This beauty is made. View the post.
Conclusion
In case you don’t have wood pallets and are looking for where to get some, you can start by paying attention to the sides of the roads when driving. You will be surprised to see the number of wood pallets you can find. Again, you can check at the back of tile shops, and you’ll definitely find some there too.
After building your compost bin, you must be careful of what goes into it. Not everything like meat can go in there. If you are confused about what and what not to put, you can do a little research to be sure about your scraps.
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