How to Compost in Aluminum Garbage Pails

Creating and using composting bins is a wonderful way to both save money and to help the environment by reducing the amount of waste that one produces. Composting bins are available for purchase at most garden centers. However, with just a little bit of effort a composting bin can be made from a variety of storage bins and containers. One type of composting bin that is inexpensive to create and easy to maintain is a composting bin that is made from an aluminum garbage can.

Things You'll Need

• Aluminum garbage can with lid
• Hammer
• Nail
• 2 cinder blocks
• Shredded newspaper or cardboard
• Fruit and vegetable scraps
• Watering can or garden hose

Instructions

1. Puncture five rows of evenly spaced holes around the circumference of the aluminum garbage can with a hammer and a nail. Each row should have seven to ten holes, with the first row circling 1 inch from the bottom of the can and the last row approximately 3 inches from the top. These holes will allow oxygen to enter to help with the decomposition of the materials placed inside.

2. Puncture five to seven holes in the bottom of the aluminum garbage can at evenly spaced intervals. These holes will allow excess water to drain from the composting bin.

3. Place the aluminum garbage can on top of two cinder blocks to allow the excess water to drain from the composting bin.

4. Place alternating layers of shredded newspaper and cardboard (brown materials) and fruit and vegetable scraps (green materials) in the composting bin. Along with the green materials you may also add lawn clippings and dried leaves.

5. Pour an adequate amount of water into the composting bin to ensure that all of the layered materials are damp. Use either a watering can or a garden hose with a sprayer attachment to water the composting bin to ensure that the materials do not become overly soaked. Do not over water them.

6. Secure the lid in place on the composting bin. It is important to have a tight fitting lid to ensure that neighborhood pests do not wreak havoc on the composting materials.

7. Lay the composting bin on its side and roll the bin forward and backward several feet to mix the contents of the composting bin. This step should be repeated at least once a week to provide oxygen to the contents of the bin. Return the composting bin to its resting place on the cinder blocks.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to check the composting bin at least once a day to ensure that it has maintained an adequate level of moisture. Water the contents of the composting bin as necessary.

• Use caution when placing materials inside the composting bin. The punctured holes may leave sharp edges on the aluminum can. If possible, wear gardening gloves to protect your hands.

References

• Go Organic Gardening and Garden Tips: The Garbage Can Compost Bin.
• Associated Content: How to Create a Dirt Cheap Compost Bin with a Garbage Can.
• The Compost Bin: Compost Tumbler From a Garbage Can.

Resources

• Compost Guide - Composting Fundamentals: Introduction to Composting.