Build Your Own Compost Bin from Reused Shipping Pallets
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If you have the yard space for it, you may decide you want to build your own compost heap to reduce the amount—and stink—of your trash, and create a fertile topsoil for your garden. Take it one step further and build your own container out of old warehouse pallets, most of which are used only once before ending up in a landfill. This easy step-by-step guide shows you how.
From This Garden Is Illegal (with a tip of the hat to Planetsave.com):
What you will need for this project is 4 shipping pallets that are roughly the same size, 4 L brackets, 2 strap hinges, a latch and the screws to attach the hardware. You can get the shipping pallets for free from almost any warehouse that ships and receives product. They will be happy to give you some as most places throw the pallets out after they are done with them. The rest of the hardware will cost between $10 - $15.
Check the slats on the pallets and hammer in any loose ones. Decide now which pallets will be the sides, back and front gate. My pallets were all the same size, but one had a plywood solid top, I decided to make that pallet the back of my bin. You will want to consider these sort of things when deciding which pallets will go where.
Match up the back and one side of the bin. Decide the best place to put the top and bottom L bracket so that the two pallets will be securely attached. Try to choose a spot that goes into the frame of both pallets, rather than the slats. Mark the rough location that the L brackets will go.
Lay the pallets back down. Attach the L brackets to the side pallet first. The L bracket will attach to the inside side of the side pallet. Attach both the top and bottom L bracket to the side pallet.
Stand the pallets back up. The L brackets will go on the back on the back pallet (see picture).
Attach the L brackets to the back pallet.
Repeat the last 3 steps on the other side with the other side pallet.
The front gate will need to be raised up a few inches so that it swings open easily. Place some bricks at the front to keep front gate off the ground while you attach it.
Attach the strap hinges to the side of the compost bin, one at the top and one at the bottom. Try to put in as many screws as you can into the pallet’s frame.
Set the front pallet on the bricks and attach the strap pallet to the front pallet.
Once the strap hinges are attached, attach the latch on the other side. I put mine way up high because I have kids and this looks like a really fun place to play jail. But I want to keep the kids out of the compost bin, so the latch it up out of their reach. You can set yours where ever you feel comfortable.
Here’s an additional tip on homemade compost heaps, from Composting: An Easy Household Guide by Nicky Scott:
You can make a cheap simple box to contain your heap out of old pallets.These can simply be tied together, and you can easily insulate them if desired: fill the space where the pallet is picked up by the forklift with rolled-up cardboard, carpet, bubble wrap, an old quilt, sheep’s fleece, an old coat, or suitable building insulation material, and line the inside with cardboard sheets to cover up the gaps between the slats of wood.
Image courtesy of PlanetSave.com.
March 9th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
I built one of these last year, but much rougher. I used 5 pallets to build a 2-unit composter. Because they are set up in the corner of my 6-foot fence, I just stood them up on end, and put a couple of big rocks on the inside — then I stretched some old garden fencing (the kind that you just stick into the ground) across the front to keep the dogs out. It hasn’t tipped over yet, and all that space meant I could get rid of a huge pile in another corner of the yard. I did keep my old square plastic composter near the house for kitchen garbage, and I’m planning to recycle the disappointing round composter into a series of potato planters this spring. My dream of a self-sustaining yard is starting to come true …
March 16th, 2009 at 9:32 am
I have used this method before, just slung two adjoining pallet stacks together, the middle between the two being one vertical pallet serving as a divider. Just put together with wire hangers or whatever wrapped around. Rustic but effective. Then whenever we threw stuff in we would throw dead leaves on top of each fresh addition of compost material, this did alot to keep odor and pests at bay. Then we would fill the first, then move on to the second compartment, and when that was full the first was ready to use as compost. No turning, no mucking with it. It just composted itself by then.
March 23rd, 2009 at 8:32 pm
I used bungie cords to tie mine together; very cheap, easy, and effective!
April 1st, 2009 at 2:19 am
[…] Build Your Own Compost Bin from Reused Shipping Pallets : Chelsea Here’s an additional tip on homemade compost heaps, from Composting: An Easy Household Guide by Nicky Scott: You can make a cheap simple box to contain your heap out of old pall. […]
April 19th, 2009 at 10:58 am
[…] News Obama Pushes for High-Speed Rail System Across U.S. Get a Big Harvest from Your Tiny Space Build Your Own Compost Bin from Reused Shipping Pallets Do-It-Yourself Ethic of Rural Homesteading and The Making of a Fermentation Fetish Pulling More […]
July 20th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
This is a really neat idea, but before people go making bins and pots out of shipping pallets they should do some research into deca bromide and what the effects of it leaching into your garden and compost would have on you.
Cheers.
July 20th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
The pallets used for this project are wood pallets. Wood pallets do not have deca. Deca bromine is used as a fire retardent in plastic pallets.
July 24th, 2009 at 3:58 am
I rent. So a bin that size is going to cause quit a stir. I just started composting a pile of stuff I normally throw down the garbage disposal. No meat, citrus or dairy though. I have been adding stuff to this pile for 3 years. It’s about 18′ high. I do try and throwsome brown dried stuff on it as well green stuff like comfrey every now and then. I make comfrey tea too and pour it on the pile. It really starts it cooking and the bacteria love it. Breaks down pretty darn fast. Or just the leaves. I added some red wigglers for good measure and the thing is like the energerizer bunny. It just keeps going and going and going. I have used it for potting soil on several occasions but it never really gets too big. I have my comfrey plants growing right next to it. No body in the complex even knows it’s there. Pretty cool.
July 24th, 2009 at 3:59 am
p.s. I do keep it nice and damp.