Concrete Block Holding Unit
A
concrete block holding unit is sturdy, durable, and easily accessible. If concrete blocks
must be purchased, a concrete-block holding unit may be slightly more expensive to build
than wire-mesh.
Materials
- About 46 concrete blocks for the first bin
- (optional) About 32 concrete blocks for a second bin
- Wooden or metal posts to stabilize the bin
- Work gloves
Construction Details
- Place 5 concrete blocks in a row along the ground at
the composting site, leaving about 1/2" between each block to let air in.
- Place four concrete blocks in another row along the
ground perpendicular to, and at one end of, the first row forming a square corner, leaving
about 1/2" between each block.
- In the same manner, place four concrete blocks at the
opposite end of the first row to form a three-sided enclosure.
- Add a second layer of blocks, staggering them to
increase stability, leaving about 1/2" between each. There should be a layer of four
concrete blocks on each of the three walls of the enclosure.
- Add a third layer of blocks, again staggering them,
with five blocks across the back and three on each side of the enclosure.
- The last, and top, layer should have four blocks
across the back and three on each side.
- To make the bin more stable, drive wooden or metal
posts through the holes in the blocks.
- (Optional) If you wish to decrease your composting time, build a second bin next to the
first, so that the wastes in one can mature while you add wastes to the other. Use one
side wall of the first bin so that you need only build two additional walls.
Used with permission
from "Composting to Reduce the Waste Stream, NRAES-43" by NRAES, The Natural
Resource, Agricultural, and Engineering Service, Cooperative Extension, 152 Riley-Robb
Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853-5701 (607) 255-7654
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