How to Make Your Compost Keeper
Americans throw away 1.3 lbs. of food per person per day, or 474.5 lbs. per year, according to a study by the University of Arizona. Kitchen waste is the third-largest waste component in landfills, so reduce its impact by composting vegetables and non-meat products. Composting slowly decomposes these wastes into a byproduct that can be used to add nutrients to your garden. You must manage your backyard compost pile carefully to avoid vermin infestation, but the rewards are great when you have healthier plants. Start with a compost keeper in the kitchen to collect daily scraps. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Recycled container with lid and handle
- Spray paint
- Carbon filter
- Mirror clips
- Glue
- Garbage bag
Instructions
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Make a compost keeper from recycled materials -- you can use a plastic pail with a lid, an old coffee can or even a round canister that used to hold oatmeal. Food scraps that sit in a keeper will leak liquids and waste, so you want to ensure the keeper is waterproof.
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Select a container with smooth, rounded corners, which will make it easy to clean, and a wide opening so that you can easily scrape waste from your plate into the bin. Make sure it is big enough to hold all of your family's daily kitchen waste.
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Paint the container with spray paint. Choose a color that matches or complements your kitchen if you will place the keeper on the countertop.
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Cut a small 4-inch square into the container lid, where you will position your carbon odor filter. The filter will reduce the smell generated from rotting food sitting in the bin. Secure the carbon filter over the hole with mirror clips glued to the inside of the lid.
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Place a plastic garbage bag -- biodegradable is preferable -- inside the keeper to catch all liquids dripping from the leftover food scraps. Empty the container at least once or twice a week to reduce odors and decrease the chance of bug infestations.
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Tips & Warnings
Carbon odor filters are available at home improvement stores.
Ask your local bakery for small buckets that cake icing is usually sold in. These buckets typically include a handle and lid. A handle will help you easily carry the container to your outdoor compost pile.
If you add designs and stencils to the keeper, add a second coat of varnish for protection.
Never use a container that lacks ventilation, which aids in breaking down organic matter. Without air, your compost waste will be excessively smelly.
