Composting Part II: Advantages and Disadvantages of Compost Bins and Piles

Image Courtesy of nycompost.org

Various types of compost bins are now available for purchase. Some are completely enclosed, some are open at the top. Some are made of wood, some are made of plastic. Some are tall, some are wide. All of these are viable compost makers. Compost will happen with or without a fancy contraption. Compost will happen in a pile on the ground.



There is no perfect compost bin or pile. Each comes with its own brand of solutions and challenges. What one person swears is the best compost bin they have ever had may not be the best one for you. The best way to determine which compost bin is best for you is to consider what your needs are for composting. For instance, if you live in an area where there is a lot of wildlife visiting your yard, you may opt for a compost bin that is enclosed on all sides to prevent wildlife from eating or removing some of the kitchen waste. A compost bin that fits your particular needs will be the best compost bin for you.



Below is a list of some of the more common compost bins and piles with a list of their advantages and disadvantages:

Image Courtesy of the Town of Maynard, MA (Composting)

Freeform Pile or Heap

Advantages

• Easy to create - A freeform pile or heap is very easy to create. Find a spot and begin throwing kitchen and garden waste in a pile.
• Easy to use
• Inexpensive to create - A freeform pile is the most inexpensive compost bin because there is no need to purchase a bin.
• Easy to turn - Using a pitchfork, it is easy to turn the compost in a freeform pile.

Disadvantages

• Compost material can roll out and be blown by the wind because there is nothing to contain it.
• A freeform pile can be unsightly if located in a community with specific rules about waste disposal.
• A freeform pile loses heat very quickly because it is not contained.
• If the pile is too large, it will be difficult to turn. (I will go over the optimal size of a pile or bin for active composting methods in a future post.)
• Wildlife can easily forage in the pile because the compost is not contained.

Wood Bin or Bins

Advantages

• All compost material is contained. As you aerate the pile, all of the compost material will remain within the enclosure.
• Multiple bins allow for several stages of the compost process. One bin can be the bin where compost material is added. Another bin can be the bin where compost material is no longer added but the pile continues to be turned as the material decomposes. And yet another bin can be a pile of finished compost used around the garden.
• Enclosure retains heat for good composting process - High heat is very important in the composting process to break down organic material. Having compost in an enclosed space ensures heat will be retained for longer periods.

Disadvantages

• Can be hard to turn because of the enclosed area - Sometimes it can be hard to turn the compost in a bin because it is difficult to reach over the top.
• Heavy, difficult to move

Image Courtesy of Maryland Department of the Environment

Wooden Pallet Bin

Instructions for building a wooden pallet composting bin can be found at Maryland Department of the Environment.

Advantages

• Free or inexpensive - Wooden pallets are a good way to recycle materials.
• Easy to make
• Can make one side a hinged door for easy access
• Enclosure retains heat for good composting process - High heat is very important in the composting process to break down organic material. Having compost in an enclosed space ensures heat will be retained for longer periods.
• All compost material is contained. As you aerate the pile, all of the compost material will remain within the enclosure.
• Pallet cube is almost a perfect cubic yard - This is a good size to reach a high heat in the compost pile.

Disadvantages

• Heavy, difficult to move
• Some wooden pallets are made from chemically treated wood.
• Can be hard to turn because of the enclosed area - Sometimes it can be hard to turn the compost in a bin because it is difficult to reach over the top.

Image courtesy of www.recyclestuff.org

Cement Blocks or Bricks Bin

Advantages

• Blocks or bricks absorb and retain heat to maintain a good temperature for composting.
• Sturdy and can be a permanent place for making compost
• Having an open front makes it easy to turn the pile for aeration.

Disadvantages

• Blocks or bricks can be knocked over easily. If you decide to use this type of bin, be sure to cement the blocks and bricks into place.
• The blocks or bricks can absorb too much heat and overheat the compost pile. Be sure to build this structure with vents in between the blocks or bricks for added circulation.
• Difficult to move
• Wildlife can easily forage in the pile because the compost is not contained.

Image Courtesy of The Garden Gates

Wire Bin or Bins

Advantages

• Can be placed anywhere
• Multiple bins allow for several stages of the compost process. (See Wood Bin or Bins for more about why this is an advantage.) You can make several of these and set them side by side for multiple bin composting.
• Very portable and lightweight

Disadvantages

• Can be difficult to turn because the pitchfork may get caught in the mesh openings.
• Compost material can fall out if the mesh openings are too large.
• Can be unsightly
• Can be moved by the wind - Be sure to stake these down to the ground.

Image Courtesy of Costco.com

Tumbler Bin

Advantages

• Easy to use
• If used properly, tumbler bins can produce compost more quickly than other bins.

Disadvantages

• Can be expensive
• Limited to size of unit - Once the tumbler bin is full there is no other place to add kitchen and garden waste to continue composting.
• Must monitor moisture because of closed design

Earth Machine or Other Plastic Enclosed Bin

Advantages

• Dark in color to absorb and retain heat
• Enclosed to keep out animal pests
• Air vents to allow good circulation
• Staked to the ground to prevent toppling
• Can harvest finished compost from bottom sliding door - Some material decomposes more quickly than other material and falls to the bottom during turning. This material can be easily harvested before the other material has completed decomposition.
• Some plastic composting bins are made from recycled materials
• Easy to move

Disadvantages

• Enclosed compost bin does not allow rain into compost pile for enough moisture - Before it begins to rain, be sure to take the lid off the compost bin or water periodically to achieve proper moisture level. A compost pile must always be moist to maintain a good composting process. (I will explain more about this in a future post.)
• Once the bin is full, there is no place to add kitchen or garden waste for composting.
• If large compost material in bin, can be difficult to turn

There are other types of composting bins, but these are the ones most commonly used. Many of the advantages and disadvantages will fit some of these other types of bins. Knowing what these advantages and disadvantages are helps you decide what bin will work best for you.

I have a wooden bin as a three bin system on one side of the yard, and an Earth Machine compost bin by the vegetable garden. I like both of them. I do take the top off of the Earth Machine before it rains to get moisture inside the bin. And I like my wooden bins because they have removable front slats that help with turning the pile. With all of the things we compost, there is a lot of compost by the end of a cycle, and I am glad we have plenty of room for it.

Next month in this composting series:

How to Make Perfect Compost

© copyright 2013 Michelle A. Potter