How To Create Your Own DIY Compost Bin At Home​

If you’re trying to reduce food waste, a DIY compost bin is one of the best ways to practice sustainability, and it costs virtually nothing. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), composting has numerous benefits, including reducing methane emissions from landfills and creating more green jobs. For those new to composting, a common question is, “How to make an easy compost bin?” We’ve put together a quick guide to building your first DIY compost bin, so even if DIY projects aren’t your forte, you’ll have no problem following the step-by-step instructions.

Whether you’re looking for an indoor DIY compost bin or an outdoor DIY compost bin, you’ll learn how to make both. We’ve even included instructions for a DIY compost bin for kids too so that you can teach your little ones about sustainability. No matter what type of DIY compost bin you create, it’s among the most impactful wellness activities or self-care gifts, especially for people who care deeply about the environment. 

Jump to Section

• How To Make An Outdoor DIY Compost Bin
• How To Make An Indoor DIY Compost Bin
• How To Make A DIY Compost Bin For Kids
• DIY Compost Bin FAQs

How To Make An Outdoor DIY Compost Bin

To make an outdoor DIY compost bin, you’ll first need to choose a container. The most common method is using DIY compost bin pallets. If you’re going this route, you’ll need:

• Four heat-treated pallets
• Twine or screws
• Dry, carbon-rich items like leaves, straw, cardboard, newspaper, twigs and sawdust, also known as “browns”
• Nitrogen-rich organic materials, such as fruit and vegetable scraps, grass and coffee grounds, also known as “greens”

Here’s how to make it: 

1. Stand the DIY compost bin pallets up and arrange them in a square shape on top of well-drained soil.
2. Tie them together with twine or secure the corners with screws. 
3. Layer brown and green materials (starting with browns), turning the mixture every few months and adding water as needed to keep it moist. Aim for more browns than greens.

You can also use a large plastic container, such as a 30-gallon trash can, or chicken wire, to make an easy DIY compost bin. The premise for both is the same as the pallet method; however, the setup is different.

If you want to make a chicken wire outdoor DIY compost bin, cut roughly 10 feet of chicken wire, bend it into a 3-foot cylinder, secure the ends with zip ties and proceed to Step 3 above.

For a plastic container DIY compost bin, poke holes in the bottom and lid before adding your compost.

How To Make An Indoor DIY Compost Bin

An indoor DIY compost bin is a convenient way to stash food scraps, and they’re so easy to make. You’ll need: 

• A plastic storage container with a lid
• A nail or drill to punch holes in the lid
• Compost materials
• Red wiggler worms (optional)

Here’s how to make an indoor DIY compost bin: 

1. Drill air holes in the lid, and use a hot glue gun to attach a piece of nylon screen to the underside of the lid (this keeps fruit flies and other pests from getting into the bin).
2. Fill the bottom of the container with soil, then add a layer of brown materials. Finish with green materials, then stir the mixture to aerate it.
3. Come back and stir the compost about once a week until it’s ready for use. You’ll know the compost is done when it’s crumbly, dark-brown, gives off a rich, earthy smell and has no visible food scraps.
4. If you’re making a worm bin, add red wiggler worms to the soil and brown materials, then layer the greens on top.

How To Make A DIY Compost Bin For Kids

A DIY compost bin is a great way to introduce kids to sustainability and make caring for the planet fun. To make a DIY compost bin for kids, you’ll need:

• A clear plastic container (such as an empty 2-liter soda bottle)
• Scissors and a nail (an adult should handle these)
• Composting materials (greens and browns)
• Water in a spray bottle
• A flat dish or tray
• A stirring stick

Once you’ve gathered all of your materials, it’s time to create your DIY compost bin. Here’s a step-by-step guide: 

1. Have an adult cut the top off the soda bottle and poke holes in the sides and bottom of the container with a nail.
2. Place the container on a dish or tray to catch drainage.
3. Now, the kids can step in and add a base layer of soil to the bottle.
4. Starting with browns, alternate layers until the container is nearly full.
5. Spray each layer with water, taking care not to oversaturate the compost; it should be just slightly damp.
6. Place the top of the bottle that you cut off earlier upside down into the container to act as a funnel.
7. Cover the bin with a paper towel, and find a warm spot with plenty of sunshine to store it.
8. Stir the mixture daily to speed up decomposition, adding water if it appears too dry, until the compost is ready for harvest. 

DIY Compost Bin FAQs

What Are Two Mistakes That We Should Avoid When We Prepare Compost?

The two major mistakes people make when preparing compost for a DIY compost bin are adding the wrong materials and failing to maintain the proper balance of air and moisture. Meat, dairy, decaying plants and pet waste should never go in a DIY compost bin because they attract pests and create foul odors. 

Additionally, you want to strike a balance between wet and dry for your DIY compost bin. If the pile is too moist, it attracts pests, causes odors and drowns worms. Too dry, and decomposition slows. Luckily, the solution is easy. Add leaves or paper if it’s too wet, and kitchen scraps plus a bit of water if it’s too dry.

Is It Cheaper To Buy Or DIY A Compost Bin?

A DIY compost bin is almost always cheaper than a commercial one. You can reduce your cost to nearly zero by using recycled items, such as trash cans or pallets, for your DIY compost bin. Doing it yourself also gives you the freedom to customize your bin to suit your desired size and style. 

Store-bought bins, on the other hand, are more convenient and efficient, often including features like tumblers for easy turning. But these perks come at a cost, with prices ranging from $50 to several hundred dollars. 

What Is The Laziest Way To Compost?

The laziest way to compost is known as cold composting, or “letting it rot,” as members of the composting community call it. This method involves piling organic scraps in a DIY compost bin (or simply in a pile on the ground) and waiting 6-12 months.

Trench composting, which refers to burying scraps in a trench to decompose, is another, albeit slower, option. Both of these low-effort composting methods rely on one key principle: adding diverse materials, known as “browns,” such as leaves and paper, on top of the scraps to reduce odor and keep pests away.

Now that you know how to create an easy DIY compost bin, you can decide which type you want to make and get started. When you’re finished, you can feel good knowing that you’ve done one of the most impactful things to help make the planet a better place. 

For even more fun DIY ideas and activities to do at home, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!