The Best Composting & Yard Waste Bins

Buying Guide

If you want your garden to flourish, composting your food scraps and yard waste and turning them into nutrient-rich soil is the way to go. Get the right composting and yard waste bins so you can avoid the stench of compost while creating high-quality soil your garden will love.

There are a number of different types of composting and yard waste bins available, each with their unique benefits. Hoop bins are a basic variety used for composting and yard waste. These bins are typically made from recycled materials and do not have a lid. They can be difficult for turning over compost and aerating it. Another option is the slatted bins where you can easily add or remove materials from the slats. Animals can still get into these types of bins, however, which makes things a little messier. Rolling composters are perfect if you want to speed up the process of composting and want an easy way to turn over the pile and aerate it. These types of bins are heavy and take up a lot of room; plus, they are more costly than other varieties.

A similar design to the rolling composter is the compost tumbler. This version is more costly but easier to turn and doesn’t require a pitchfork. Plus, these bins can be sealed so that animals cannot get inside. Worm bins are preferred by people who don’t have a lot of outdoor space as these types are smaller than regular compost bins. They are designed just for food scraps. Keep in mind these bins can have an odor and attract fruit flies.

• Most composters and yard waste bins are big and heavy, so it’s important to decide where you will be keeping them first. Once you set them down and fill them, it’s unlikely you will be able to move them again. Ideally, you want to keep them in an easily accessible place where you can conveniently fill them up with food scraps and yard waste. However, you don’t want them too close to where you socialize outside in case there is a smell around it.
• Pay special attention to the material the bin is made from. Many composters are made from recycled plastic in a dark color, which makes it perfect for absorbing heat from the sun. Heat and moisture are required for composting. Bins made from wood don’t get as hot as plastic, but they do have a nice look. Check to make sure the wood isn’t pressure treated, which includes harmful chemicals that can seep into the compost, and eventually your garden.
• Square or rectangular compost and yard waste bins fit nicely into the corner of a yard; however, it can be difficult to reach the corners when turning the compost. This is why most compost and yard waste bins are circular in shape.
• Compost and yard waste bins require good ventilation so there is air circulation and oxygen throughout. If there is not enough ventilation in the design, then the organic matter will decompose slowly, and will have an unpleasant odor.
• It’s important to turn the compost inside on a regular basis, but this can be difficult depending on the design of the bin and your physical strength. If you want to make this process easy, consider getting a compost bin that has a handle design to make turning the compost effortless.