Free Compost Bin Plans

Build a Compost Bin
Every year we throw away 24 million tons of leaves and grass clippings that could be composted to conserve landfill space. In order to compost though, you need a composting bin. Here's how to make a two-bin composting bin...

Compost/Garbage Bin
A compost pile is not a garbage pile, and one way to clearly differentiate between the two is with an enclosure -- a compost bin. The ideal bin retains heat and moisture, is easy to fill and empty, and fends off raccoons, stray dogs, and other animals.

3-Bin Compost Bin
This design is a mix of several styles of compost bins we've seen or read about. We are in a residential neighborhood so the bins have to be covered to discourage dogs and other critters from investigating our kitchen scraps. Having three compartments allows us turn the compost regularly from one compartment into the...

Wire Mesh Compost Bin
Wire mesh composting bins are inexpensive, easy to assemble and hold a large volume of yard materials. Hardware cloth wire is recommended to provide a sturdy bin that holds its shape. This bin can be used as a holding or turning unit.

How to Build a Compost Bin
Easy to build and least labor intensive. Good for small compost amounts of yard wastes. Slowest way to compost.

Rotating Compost Bin
Just pile up some food and yard scraps, and turn it with a pitchfork now and then. But if you want to speed up the process and keep it rodent-free, a rotating bin is worth a weekend of labor. Once assembled, fill it two-thirds full with scraps, moisten with water and rotate every few days.

Composting Bins and Systems
There are a tremendous number of options for containing your compost. Some people choose to go binless, simply building a compost pile in a convenient spot on the ground. Others build bins from materials such as recycled pallets, or two-by-fours and plywood. And, of course, there are many commercial bins on the...