D.I.Y. Compost Bin

BY MEGAN SAPELAK AND GRACE DOWNEY

Composting is one of the easiest things that a family can do to help the environment. When you compost, you help reduce the amount of organic waste in our landfills, which according to Bay Area Composting, emits methane, a potent greenhouse gas into our atmosphere. Your compost is not only helping our environment, but also your garden and lawn. Compost is a natural fertilizer that helps your plants and gardens grow without the use of harmful chemicals.

Creating your own compost bin is an easy and a fun activity the whole family can participate in! Once your compost is ready, it can be used as a replacement for where you would use fertilizer in your gardens, flower beds or lawn.

SUPPLIES

• 1 plastic bin with a lid (at least 1 cubic foot)

• 3 newspapers cut into 1 inch strips (Do not use gloss paper or color print)

• 4 cups of soil (with no harmful chemicals)

• 1 spray bottle full of water

• 1 container of red wiggler worms (we got ours at Petco)

• Power drill

• ⅛ inch drill bit

• Spray paint (meant for plastic)

• Acrylic craft paint

• Paint sealer

• Paint brushes

• Safety glasses

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Paint or decorate the outside of the bin. Make sure you get plastic-friendly spray paint to ensure that it does not peel away. Let the spray paint dry and use acrylic paint to paint the details. Finish with a paint sealer (we used Mod Podge®). While painting, be careful not to get any paint on the inside of the bin. (Decoration is optional)

2. Drill 3 holes in a triangle formation in the top corners of each side of the bin.

3. Drill 3 holes in a triangle formation in each corner of the lid.

4. Drill 3 holes (Left, center, and right) at the bottom of each side of the bin for drainage.

5. Fill the tub with a thick layer of shredded newspaper and generously dampen it with the spray bottle.

6. Spread out 4 cups of soil on top of the newspaper bedding.

7. Pour in your food scraps. Lightly mix the scraps into the soil and some of the newspaper.

8. SLOWLY pour in worms and distribute around the bin.

9. Add another layer of newspaper and dampen with a spray bottle.

10. Close the lid and place your compost bin in your yard. Keep adding to the bin with your scraps and keep the newspaper moist.

WHAT TO COMPOST

Fruits (Avoid citrus fruits)

Vegetables (Avoid excessive onions)

Eggshells

Coffee grounds

Shredded newspaper

Cardboard rolls

Paper towels

WHAT NOT TO COMPOST

Meat

Oils/Fats/grease

Dairy products

Coal or charcoal

Pet feces or cat litter

Plastic

Highly acidic foods

Weeds