Compost bins are a great option for large families or households with a garden. Compost bins work by adding heat to speed up the composting process via above ground, partially buried, or rotating chambers.
Benefits include:
- low maintenance
- process a large volume of food scraps (limited meat and dairy)
- suitable for households with a lot of food or garden waste
- produce rich harvestable compost for your garden and surrounding soil.
Composting systems vary in what organic waste they can process. There are different composting systems to choose from:
Traditional compost bins
These are also known as above ground compost bins. They need to be placed on soil and require regular turning with an aerator. As the scraps break down, nutrient-rich liquid will disperse into the surrounding soil leaving rich compost to be harvested from the bottom every 6 to 12 months.
Tumbling composters
Tumbling composters sit off the ground and can be placed anywhere, including balconies. The liquid from this process drips out and can be harvested or allowed to soak into the ground below. They require regular rotation with a hand crank or by rotating the drum directly, and produce rich compost in around 3 to 6 months (a little faster than traditional systems).
Solar composters
Solar composters are partially dug into the ground and capture heat from the sun which aerates the compost without the need to turn it. They are faster than the other two systems and require less maintenance. They can process all types of food waste, but are not suitable for garden waste.
Pet waste composters
Separate composting systems can be set up for pet waste to further reduce organic waste to landfill. A separate composting system is recommended if you already compost food. For more information on pet waste composters, visit Compost Revolution.