Can i use a plastic trash can as a compost bin? Should i keep a lid on it?

Question

Should i poke holes in it to allow air circulation

Yeah jcurieii i think mommyof1 misread i certainly aint using the bin as a nightstand lol

Lots of good tips so far thanks

Answer 1

Yes.......as long as it has the proper amount of moisture....

Answer 2

Yes, in fact there are all kinds of plastic compost bins on the market. But when I first lived in the city I used two and later three different plastic garbage bins for my compost. They were easy to move about and didn't look too ugly, though you could always paint them so they'd look better.
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Drill or cut some one inch diameter holes in the bottom for drainage and some more holes, maybe twenty or more, in the sides for air circulation.
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Keep on eye on it, or should I say a nose on it?
If it starts to smell funny like a diaper pail, then air is not getting in and you need to dump it out and let the compost breathe.
Drill holes in the lid as well and keep the lid on to limit too much rain getting in and making a soggy mess. Place the bin in the sun so it will "cook" your compost even faster.

Answer 3

You are not making a Compost Bin you are merely making a major headache for yourself and trash. Sorry to tell you the reality.
A compost bin need areas where you can, and will have to, move the material due to heat. It also needs you to apply both a bio material for decomposition and other additives. A trash can is hardly conducive to that type of activity or action.
Look, most major communities have a compost pile being made by regs. You do not need to do it if it is already available to you for free. Unless properly regulated your compost can do more harm than good to your garden. What is the N-P-K count of the product?
If you start now, and add the bios, regulate the temp and stir the product when needed, the compost will not be ready for two to three years for use. At that point you will need to have combat insects and disease in the can. You will then need to add a basic fert to compensate for the compost you spread.
Take your excessive growth to your community Compost Site. Let them deal with the headaches and problems. You can always get what you want/need from them in bulk. On fifty gallon can is going to net you enough compost to spread around ten foot at two inches and break your back in the hauling of materials, the stirring, and moving.
Good Luck.

Answer 4

HOLE 'D it right there...no lid! composting is the AEROBIC decomposition of plant matter. it needs air, and lots of it.
If you want to use a plastic can get a piece of plastic drain line PVC or Poly and put it down the center and through a hole in the lid, that way you wont have it leaking and it will get some airflow. Use smaller cans and have three so you can transfer the material from one to the next to mix and moisten it to speed the process. go to the library or Internet and search for organic amendments or the equivalent...Good luck!

Answer 5

Despite Mommyof1's apparent misunderstanding of the question...

Yes, you can use one as such.
Yes you should keep the lid on.

Holes?
I am presuming you are smart enough to keep it outdoors... Yes, a few smallish holes, screened over to prevent the wrong kind of bugs from climbing in.

Keep a cheapish garden fork beside it so you can turn it periodically.

You can buy a specialised breed of worm that will help speed the process (and they come with complete instructions on how to use them and the kit they come with).

In either case, both work equally well.

Incidentally, the vent holes also help prevent the possibility of the heat and gas build-up blowing the lid off.

Answer 6

No holes! You want it to rot (that is what compost is), you could just use heavy duty trash bags and have several of them. In about two weeks you can add more to it as it shrinks.

Answer 7

umm...why dont you put the compost food in a plastic bag and throw it away outside? if you do do what you said you will have a smelly house or apt whatever you live in. and i dont think its a good idea to poke holes in it either

Answer 8

Sure, it would work great. No holes needed but they won't hurt anything either.

Answer 9

Nope. I wouldn't do that.

Answer 10

of course and no