Creating a compost bin is a quick and easy way to lead a greener lifestyle by recycling your organic food waste into natural fertilizer for your garden or lawn. Requiring only food scraps and minimal upkeep, compost bins are easy to maintain in just minutes each week. You can create your own compost bin using almost any old container around the house, but rubber storage totes work exceptionally well. Follow these steps and you will be composting in no time. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Choose a bin that will suit your composting needs. Any size bin will work, so pick a bin that will have enough space to hold the food and organic waste your family produces. The bin needs to be about 12 inches deep at least. A 50-gallon tote works well as a compost bin and can easily be found at your local home improvements store, or discount store. Get a lid to keep animals and pests out of your compost pile.
2. Drill holes around the sides of the rubber bin. These holes should be close to the top of the container and ideally remain slightly above the level of the composted material. The holes will aerate the organic material in the bin and aid in decomposition. Likewise, drill holes around the lid of the bin.
3. Drill holes around the bottom of the bin. These will be your drainage holes, allowing run-off to exit the container. If placed directly on the ground, these holes will also allow worms to enter your bin and aid in decomposition. Alternatively place your bin on a collecting tray to collect the run-off, which can be used as a potent fertilizer.
4. Place your compost bin in a sunny,easily accessible area with good drainage. You can place your bin directly on the ground, attracting worms to your compost; prop it above ground on a rack, creating good airflow to speed up decomposition; or in the ground, insulating your bin and allowing your waste to decompose year round.
5. Fill the bottom of your bin with sticks, grass clippings and dry leaves. Add moistened newspaper. This layer will jump-start decomposition and also allow good airflow through the bottom of the container.
6. Throw your food scraps and household organic wastes into your new compost bin instead of the trash. In only a matter of days you will start seeing decomposition. Turn your compost pile with a shovel every week or so to help aerate the material.
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