How to Recycle an Old Garbage Can to Make a Compost Bin

You can easily turn an old garbage can into a compost bin.

Composting is one of the greenest activities you can undertake. If you go searching for a new composting bin, you'll find everything from fancy drums that turn on a crank to instructions for how to build one that requires a lot of materials. But you don't have to go to any great lengths to begin recycling. If you have an old garbage can, it will only take you a few minutes to get started.

Things You'll Need

• Work gloves
• Drill
• Sawdust or wood chips
• Bricks

Instructions

1. Put on work gloves to protect your hands.

2. Place a 1/2-inch drill bit into the drill. Drill three rows of holes around the perimeter of the garbage can. Space them about five inches apart. Also drill several holes in the bottom of the can to ensure proper drainage.

3. Place 2 to 4 inches of dry sawdust or wood chips in the bottom of the garbage can. This will absorb moisture and help drainage.

4. Set the garbage can on some bricks to allow for drainage from the bottom of the can.

References

• University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service: Constructing a Garbage Can Compost Bin
• P. Allen Smith: Trash Can Compost Bin