A compost bin, sometimes called a “compost digester,” is needed to start the composting process.  Learning how to make a compost bin at home will help you turn organic waste into useful compost – particularly as soil fertilizers. No matter how small or how big your space is, you can still do composting. Here are some helpful tips:

1. Start a small compost bin for your household to reduce waste. The easiest way to begin is to build a compost pile. Compost bins can be made from recycled or reusable materials. You can also buy them from the market.  For a home with limited space, enclosed bins are the most practical. A common compost bin must be enclosed on all sides and the top to keep pests or rodents away. The bottom must be open and positioned directly on the ground. A bigger storage bin is much better for holding larger quantities of compost materials. Do not use a thin plastic storage bin because its edges will brittle due to cold temperatures and the materials inside will be slow to decompose.

2. Use an enclosed compost tumbler or drum. It will have a tighter lid and is suitable for homes in residential areas. Foul odors will be avoided and it will also discourage insects and pets.  You can turn or roll over the compost tumbler to speed up your composting process. It can also compost all year round due to its higher internal temperature. Composting your kitchen and garden wastes will reduce waste materials in the landfill.

3. Using a heavy-duty garbage can is costly, but you can turn this into a long-lasting compost bin. Simply drill 1.5-cm aeration holes in rows at roughly 15-cm intervals around the can. If the lid is secure, the bin can be laid on its side and rolled. A length of 2 inches cedar or a 2×2 or a 2×4 can be bolted to the inside, going  top to bottom, to help turn over the bin. The contents will tend to stay in place while the bin is rolling. It doesn’t matter whether you buy or make your own bin. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends using a bin of at least 3 square feet.  Place your bin outside your kitchen door so you can just toss your vegetable scraps into it easily.

4. Make a backyard waste compost heap if you have enough space. It should be in a sunny or semi-shaded area away from water-courses. There are many materials you can use for the compost heap in your backyard. You can use chicken wire to form the body of your mound. Cinder blocks, bales of hay, wooden pallets and lumber are some other options to construct your compost heap. Pressure-treated lumber material is recommended to avoid rot. It would be a wise idea to make a temporary roof to protect your compost in any weather condition.

Be a responsible individual by composting. How to make a compost bin is valuable and helps create a sustainable lifestyle. Just know what not to put in it: plastic or metal, cooked food and bones, disposable nappies, cellophane wrappers, juice cartons, coal fire ash, dairy product leftovers, branches, glass, plant foliage with chemical spray residue, toxic materials or large pieces of wood. Even though these decompose, they will take several years to do so – occupying much space in your compost bin for a long time.