Composting has increased in popularity and convenience since the days of your grandma’s big heap behind the barn. Now, many people have taken on the act of composting their household waste themselves. With modern lifestyles and urban living spaces, small compost bins fit their lifestyles perfectly.
Composting has become a convenient, stress-free, hassle-free practice. These smaller bins can easily fit in tiny postage stamp patios and balconies, in mud rooms, in kitchen cabinets, and yes, even on countertops.
So what kind of composters are available? What makes them different? How do you choose one that is right for you? As one might imagine choosing the wrong composter can be the difference between an enjoyable and rewarding practice, or a frustrating daily chore with poor results.
Types of Small Compost Bins:
- Dainty ceramic counter crocks
- Contemporary chic stainless canisters
- Organic bamboo pails
- Heavy-duty plastic canisters
- Tumblers
- Bins
- Wire Mesh
- Buckets
- Recycled canisters
A composter exists for practically every household waste volume and personal need. Even the smallest crocks utilize carbon (or charcoal) filters to absorb odors, and may be glazed to avoid staining.
Mid-sized bins might feature sliding doors and removable canisters; some even incorporate appliances like automatic tumbling and status indicators. The larger garden variety composters might tumble with a crank, or roll on the ground. By contrast, the smaller bins would rely on daily mixing, aerating and of course, occasional emptying and cleaning. By doing a little bit every day, one can create a large amount of recyclable nutrient-rich compost, just perfect for household planting.
People have made their own compost bins with one, two or three bin systems, using 5 gallon buckets or other small bins, by drilling aeration holes, utilizing bricks to separate the new waste from old, water, and a little occasional hand-mixing. Good compost can result after just a couple months of progress. You can even consider a “red-wiggler” worm bin in your home for great results.
Small Compost Bins
The popularity of this practice has reduced prices and increased a great variety of product lines. Green thumbs will benefit from a composter that can fit their specific needs, and interior décor.
What kind of things can I put into a small compost bin?
Most small compost bins permit the use of kitchen food wastes:
- Fruit and vegetable matter
- Coffee and tea grounds
- Egg shells
- Paper such as cardboard and newspaper.
What can’t I put into a small compost bin?
While products vary, most advise against products such as:
- Animal waste products
- Kitty litter
- Soiled diapers
- Fireplace ash/charcoal
- Diseased plants
Take care to read the instructions to find the suitable container for you.
You’ll want to check product specifications for your particular needs. Keep in mind your household waste volume, and what types of waste you’ll likely be composting. You might also think about how often you would likely maintain your compost – the larger the container, the less often it requires maintenance.
From ceramic clay to bamboo, wood, stainless steel, light or heavy plastic, small compost bins consist of a wide variety of materials and designs. While all doing basically the same function, how they go about it might mean more or less convenience for the homeowner. Some require careful balancing of waste types, while others are as simple as tossing in whatever you have. The results will invariably be a welcome resource to household plants, flowers, homegrown fruits and vegetables, and even herb gardens or bonsai trees.
Small compost bins easily fill a need for the green kitchen, that may one day soon become as common as any other small kitchen appliance – providing energy surplus rather than usage. And your plants will love you for it.
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