Compost Bins: Reviews

This plastic, 13-cubic-foot capacity compost bin has a three-tiered design that allows it to be disassembled, one layer at a time, to assist in the adding, turning and removal of organic compost material. Expert testers… give the Biostack top ratings, and owners really like this compost bin for its durability and ease of use. The well-designed lid keeps animals out. The Biostack is large enough to handle moderate amounts of yard and household organic waste, but not so bulky as to make it unsuitable for those with less room for a compost bin.

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A tumbling compost bin helps cut down on manual labor. Instead of turning compost with a pitchfork, you turn a crank on the side, which mixes the compost. The Envirocycle Composter/Composteamaker has a reasonable price… tag (as tumblers go), plus it's highly rated and recommended by owners. It also offers the added bonus of a built-in collector that captures compost tea, the nutrient-rich liquid plant food produced during the composting process. The Envirocycle Composter/Composteamaker has a fairly small capacity (7 cubic feet) compared to non-tumbling compost bins, so it's better for smaller yards and families.

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We found good reviews for the Wire Bin Composter as a cost-effective compost bin. The Wire Bin Composter expands to hold 16 cubic feet of material when fully extended, but a three-bin system (*est. $100) is also available… if you need more space. This model is constructed of heavy-gauge steel with a plastic coating that is rust-resistant. An optional wire bin lid (*est. $12) is sold separately. Alternatively, you can also consider making your own simple compost bin with one of the many plans available online.

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Though some may cringe at the idea of composting with worms, experts say that vermicomposting is an excellent means of breaking down kitchen waste -- particularly the kinds of scraps that can cause foul odors or attract… vermin if they're added to an outdoor composter. The Triformis Can-O-Worms is a highly rated digester that allows for either indoor or outdoor storage (barring extremes of temperature). When properly maintained, owners say there's no odor at all. Red wiggler worms are sold separately (*est. $35 for 1,000 worms).

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An essential composting accessory is a pail to collect food scraps in the kitchen before transferring them to an outdoor bin or pile. The Norpro Ceramic Compost Keeper is highly recommended both for its ability to… eliminate odor through its use of a charcoal filter and for its nice-looking design. Some owners say the handle could be sturdier, and others find it hard to clean, but it still gets excellent overall ratings. The Norpro Ceramic compost pail holds up to a gallon of scraps and is available in red or white. Replacement charcoal filters are sold separately (*est. $4 for two). If looks are not so important to you, reviewers also like the green plastic KC 1000 Kitchen Mini Compost Carrier (*est. $18) sold by Gaiam.

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