Composting Bins

Below are 4 types of Composting bins and manufactures:

Mobile Bins
Stationary Bins
Tumblers
No Bin Composting

The type of structure or method you choose to make compost is really a matter of personal preference. If you are the do-it-yourself type, you may want to build your own structure using materials like wood, welded wire, concrete blocks or wooden pallets. Pre-fabricated ready-built bins and drum turning units are also available. Many manufactured bins are being made from recycled plastic. If attractiveness of the bin is important, you may want to purchase a manufactured bin.

Mobile Holding Bin

Description:	A Holding Bin is a composting bin used to hold compostable materials in place while they decompose. Turning the compost inside a holding bin is often difficult (multi-bin systems and tumbling bins are designed for ease of turning the compost). However, by using a movable bin, you can pick up the bin leaving the compost, and then pitchfork the compost into the bin’s new location, which turns the compost.
Materials:	Wood, wire, plastic, or other.
Cost:	$5 to $100, depending on type, and whether home-made or manufactured.
Effort Required:	No ongoing effort is required, but plan on minimal to medium effort to turn the compost depending on your desire for speedy decomposition.
Notes:	Compost is simply held in a bin, which can be moved. Some types are easier to turn than others. Some types offer lids and/or fine wire mesh to help exclude pest animals.
How to get one:

Mobile Holding Bin
Build-It-Yourself	Manufactured
Wooden Stackable Bin	Handy Composter $9.90 - $11.45 MSRP (Lid available) phone: 765-436-7089
Portable Wood & Wire Bin	The Compost Cage $9.90 to $11.45 MSRP
Wire Bin	Volcano Wire Bin $30.00 MSRP + s&h. phone: 972-234-4615
	Greenculture (multiple bins) phone: 800-233-8438 or 949-643-8795

Stationary Bin

Description:	A Holding Bin is a composting bin used to hold compostable materials in place while they decompose. You can turn the compost by emptying out the bin and then putting the material back in the bin. You can also use aerating probes, like rebar, to allow oxygen to infiltrate the pile.
Materials:	Wood, Wire, Plastic, Concrete Block, or other.
Cost:	$20 to $150, depending on type, and whether home-made or manufactured.
Effort Required:	No ongoing effort is required, but plan on minimal to medium effort to turn the compost depending on your desire for speedy decomposition.
Notes:	With some systems, you can add a second bin next to the first to transform the single holding bin into a multi-bin system to make turning easier. (e.g., concrete block or pallet bin). Some types offer lids and/or fine wire mesh to help exclude pest animals.
How to get one:

Stationary Bin
Build-It-Yourself	Manufactured
Concrete Block	Earth Machine $70-$90 MSRP
Pallet Bin	Brave New Composter $60-$80 MSRP
Pallet Bin	Seattle Composter
	CE Shepherd Co., Inc. (800) 324-9283
	Earth Engine $118 shipping included
	Greenculture (multiple bins) phone: 800-233-8438 or 949-643-8795
	The Garden Gormet $59.95 MSRP .

Multi-Bin Turning System

Description:	Multiple bins are used for ease of turning the compost. You build your pile in the first bin, when the compost is ready to turn, you move it into the second bin and start building a new pile in the first. Then you turn from the second into the third bin, and the first into the second. Eventually, you get all your compost into one bin at the end, and material in the top part of this bin cures while you harvest finished compost from the bottom of the bin.
Materials:	Wood, wood & wire, concrete block, or other.
Cost:	$100 - $250 depending on type of materials used.
Effort Required:	Low to high maintenance, depending on desired rate of decomposition.
Notes:	If you get tired of turning the compost, you can it as a holding bin. Heat and activity of process usually excludes pests.
How to get one:

Multi-Bin Turning System
Build-It-Yourself	Manufactured
Wood Bin	Earth Engine $169 shipping included.
Modified Pallet Bin

Tumblers and Drums

Description:	These units are typically a horizontally mounted barrel shaped structure. Compostable materials are placed in a drum or tumbler which is designed fore easy turning. With these units the bin does the turning. This kind of system is easy to turn and will keep the materials well aerated.
Materials:	Plastic or Metal
Cost:	$100 -$400 depending on type and whether home made or manufactured.
Effort Required:	Low for a quality system where a crank makes turning easy.
Notes:	Home-made systems may lack features such as mixing baffles that speed the process in manufactured units. Excludes pests.
How to get one:

Tumblers and Drums
Build-It-Yourself	Manufactured
Rotating Drum	Compost Tumbler (800) 880-2345
	Greenculture (multiple bins) phone: 800-233-8438 or 949-643-8795
	Envirocyclesystems (Tumbler) phone: 514-767-7770
	D&P Industries, Inc. (multiple bins) (503) 286-9866

No Bin - Sheet Composting /
Yard Waste as Mulch

Description:	Spread yard trimmings as mulch on the soil surface in areas throughout the yard.
Materials:	None.
Cost:	None.
Effort Required:	Initially spread material, then no effort required, composting is slow, which is a benefit for a mulched bed.
Notes:	Using a variety of materials spread on the soil surface may not be attractive. You may have to shred materials. For more information, see the tutorial page called "Composting Methods: Sheet Composting".

Heap or Pile

Description:	Pile compostable materials in a heap 3-5 feet wide and 3 feet high.
Materials:	None.
Cost:	None.
Effort Required:	Initially build pile and add as needed. No ongoing effort is required, unless turned to speed up the compost process.
Notes:	A heap or pile may not be attractive to some people; the material tends to spread; and pests have free access. For more information, see the tutorial page called "Composting Methods: Heap Composting".

Many thanks to the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service/Auburn University for this information.

This page is intended to be a resource list. Vendors are encouraged to contact us with your product information, including the category for listing, MSRP, contact phone number and email or website. Our manufacturer listings will be updated periodically to include new vendors of compost bins.

University of Florida

Comments or questions about this site?