Compost Bin Information

Compost Bin Links

Most people who compost say that a bin is not usually an absolute necessity for outdoor composting. If you prefer using a bin, it's relatively simple and frequently far less expensive to build your own. One cheap and easy option is to drill holes in a plastic or galvanized metal garbage can. A number of sites offer plans and instructions for building your own bin from other materials. Here are a few:

Environmental Defense Fund

Composting 101

University of Missouri Extension

Better Homes and Gardens magazine and HGTV.com both have compost-bin building plans.

Some municipalities or counties offer composters at discounted prices as part of a special recycling initiative. You might not get much of a choice, but the bin might be free or cheap. Two examples can be found at:

Composting in Santa Cruz County, Calif.

StopWaste.org

Pet waste is too dangerous to compost in the ordinary way, as it may contain pathogens or parasites that are harmful to humans. However, a few products are available for those who wish to compost pet waste safely. The NatureMill Plus XE and NatureMill Pro XE, discussed in the section on indoor composters, can process pet wastes safely. Tumbleweed makes a worm bin called the Pet Poo Composter (*Est. 100), and a digester called the Doggie Dooley Dog Waste Disposal System (*Est. $50) is available at major pet stores. However, these types of digesters aren't routinely featured in expert reviews, and user reviews are scarce. The 20 or so reviews of the Doggie Dooley on Petco's website were mixed, with many buyers saying it works well and controls odor, while others complained of drainage problems and flimsy construction. An important point to consider is that this system will not work at temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, which precludes its use during the winter in many parts of the country.

Mother Earth News has an excellent article on getting started with composting.

The Environmental Protection Agency also has good information and tips on composting.

Thorough overviews of the composting process are available at CompostGuide.com.  

At the Master Gardeners of Mercer County (NJ) website, Barbara Bromley, a horticulturist, offers a detailed composting fact sheet.

At Composting101.com, there is another detailed overview of getting starting in composting called "The Dirt on Composting."

PlanetNatural.com features a compost bin buyer's guide with information on how to choose the right composter for your needs, as well as several articles on vermicomposting.

CleanAirGardening.com also offers a short but helpful compost bin buyer's guide.

Additional information about the compost bins included in our report can be found at the following manufacturers' and distributors' sites:

ComposTumbler

Exaco

Gaiam

Gardener's Supply Company

Mantis

NatureMill

Norpro

SCD Probiotics

Sun-Mar

Triformis

Tumbleweed

Urban Gardener