How to Build a Compost Bin

Published February 17, 2022

Johnny Hunt

Gardening Enthusiast

Looking to reduce your environmental impact and help out your local community? Why not start composting! In this guide, we will walk you through the process of building your very own compost bin. It’s easy, fun, and a great way to reduce your waste output! Let’s get started.

1. What is composting and why should you do it?

Composting is a process that turns organic waste into nutrient-rich soil. It’s an easy, natural way to recycle food scraps and yard trimmings and reduce your household’s impact on the environment!

Composting also has a ton of benefits for your garden. It helps improve soil quality, increases water retention, and provides essential nutrients for plants. So if you’re looking to green up your thumb, start composting today!

To find out how much compost you need for your needs, read our article on the subject.

2. How to build a compost bin.

There are many different types of compost bins, but we recommend building a worm bin because it’s the easiest way to get started!

Step One: Gather Materials.

1 five-gallon bucket
1 drill with a 3/8 inch bit
1 1/2 inch hole saw
3 feet of 1 inch PVC pipe
1 PVC elbow fitting
1 PVC T fitting
Duct tape
Straw or hay
Shredded paper or cardboard

Now that you have all of your materials, let’s get started!

Step Two: Drill Holes in the Bucket.

Using your drill and 3/8 inch bit, drill two holes in the bottom of the bucket.

Make sure they are both facing in the same direction so the compost can fall out easily when it’s ready to use.

Next, drill one hole in the side of each bucket about halfway up from where you drilled them before. This is where the PVC pipe will go.

Now it’s time to cut the PVC pipe. Measure and mark three feet of PVC pipe, then use your hole saw to cut out a circular hole in the center of each mark. This is where the compost will fall through into your bucket.

Attach your elbow fitting to one end of the PVC pipe, then attach the T fitting to the other end. Now you’re ready to put everything together!

Slide the buckets over top of each other so that they fit snugly inside the PVC pipes. Make sure that all of your holes line up correctly before duct taping them together securely. You may need an extra pair of hands for this part.

Now stuff some straw or hay into the top of your bin to help keep the compost in place.

Your compost bin is now ready to use!

4. How to use your compost bin.

Now that you’ve built your very own compost bin, it’s time to learn how to use it!

Add food scraps and yard trimmings to the top of your bin.
Stir the compost every once in a while to help break down the organic matter.
In about three months’ time, you’ll have rich, fertile soil to use in your garden!

That’s all there is to it! Composting is a great way to reduce your environmental impact and improve your gardening skills. So what are you waiting for? Start building your compost bin today!