A Trash Can Compost Bin

Do you compost?  Or, have you wanted to try composting?

A couple of weeks ago, I went on a ‘edible garden tour’.  One garden had something quite interesting that caught my eye and it wasn’t the huge tomatoes growing nearby.  What drew my attention was the row of garbage containers along the fence filled with compost.

These trash cans had been transformed into compost bins.  They had been offered to the homeowner for free by the city Phoenix, where he lives.  The homeowner primarily used manure from his chickens, leaves and coffee grounds to make his compost.  It took him 2 1/2 months from first adding the material to finished compost for his garden.

Trash can composting is a great way to start composting in your garden, without having to build a compost bin.  In fact, many cities offer trash cans to use as compost bins, for free (or at very little cost) to homeowners.  These trash cans have been converted into compost bins by the drilling of holes in the sides to get oxygen into the compost, which helps break down the organic matter.

What you like the idea of having your waste (fruit & vegetable peels, grass clippings, coffee grounds, paper and leaves) turned into compost, but don’t want to do it yourself?  Some cities will give you a special container (in addition to your recyclable and garbage bins), where you can add compostable materials that they collect and turn into compost that is later used in city landscapes or sold to homeowners.

In addition to the composting options above, many cities are beginning to offer classes to their residents on how to compost.

So, where can you find out what your city offers to help you get started recycling?  The best place to start is to visit your city’s website and click on the link for ‘Waste Management’, where you will be guided to what options they offer to help you get started with composting.  If your city doesn’t offer classes or compost bins – let them know that you are interested.  Many cities are beginning to offer options for composting and yours may the next one!

If your city doesn’t offer trash can compost bins, you can make one yourself.  Learn how here.

Birds & Blooms has a great article to get you started making your own compost – “Composting Made Easy”.

How about you?  Do you compost?  What type of compost bin do you use?