On April 22, the world will observe Earth Day, an annual event dedicated to demonstrating support for and raising awareness about environmental protection. There are several ways to be more earth-conscious and eco-friendly, such as swapping out single-use plastic containers for reusables, going for clean beauty, skincare, and wellness products that do not contain harsh chemicals, or using household materials that are made from natural materials. Another way to be earth-conscious is to reduce waste by composting. But what exactly is composting and how do you go about incorporating it into our daily lives?
What is Composting?
Composting is defined by Science Direct as the “biological degradation process of heterogeneous solid organic materials under controlled moist, self-heating, and aerobic conditions to obtain a stable material that can be used as organic fertilizer.” Simply put, composting begins with setting aside kitchen waste such as vegetable cuttings, coffee beans, fruit peels, and others, and storing them in a compost bin, a container used to speed up the decomposition process to create the end product: compost. Compost is then used as fertilizer or a compound to improve soil fertility in gardens, organic farming, urban agriculture, or simply, your backyard!
There are several benefits to composting. According to Good Housekeeping, one of the major benefits of composting is that it reduce methane gas, the gas that majorly contributes to global warming. Composting can also help control trash can odor. But one of the biggest benefits is that you can make your own garden fertilizer that’s organic and absolutely free. No need to buy at the gardening store!
To get you started with composting, we’ve curated some of the best compost bins for both your kitchen and your backyard. Check out the list for more.
Best Compost Bins for Indoor or Kitchen Composting
1. OXO Good Grips Easy-Clean Compost Bin in Charcoal, 0.75 Gallon/2.83 Liters
Featuring a convenient size and design for easy countertop use, the OXO Good Grips Easy-Clean Compost Bin is equipped with a lid that flips up for quick filling and flips down to lock in odors. It also features smooth interior walls that prevent foods and liquids from building up and a contoured bottom and removable lid that makes emptying simple and a rotating handle for easy transport of waste to your outdoor composter. Customers love it for its sturdiness and durability and because it’s easy to clean and easy to use. It has an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “This is exactly as advertised. It doesn’t take up much room, seals to keep odors in and bugs out, and is small enough to require frequent emptying. It looks great in our white kitchen. The removable lid is a plus, it’s easy to clean, and is exactly what we needed.” Lori Anderson
2. Third Rock Compost Bin 1 Gallon Compost Pail with Inner Compost Bucket Liner
Perfect for kitchen counters, the Third Rock Compost bin is equipped with a replaceable charcoal filter in its lid so that it smells fresh every time. Made for kitchen wear and tear, this durable compost bin features premium powder coating and features carbon steel, a stainless steel lid ring and handles. Its 1-gallon size is great for smaller homes or for those who live in apartments and is designed to hold days or organic food waste and fit under a sunk or on a kitchen countertop. It has an overall customer rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “This is a great little counter top bin. I only dump the contents into my tumbler once or twice a week which is way less than I thought I’d need to empty it. It’s solidly built and I love the removable plastic pail inside!” Jessica Raymond
3. EPICA Stainless Steel Compost Bin 1.3 Gallon with Charcoal Filter
Equipped with an airtight lid and a replaceable activated-charcoal filter to keep odors away from your kitchen, this stainless steel compost bin is molded in one piece and resists rust and leaks. It’s an eco-friendly way to compost at home with its gallon size that’s large enough to keep days’ worth of compostable organic kitchen waste, such as peels, fruits, coffee grounds, and more. It comes with a replaceable charcoal filter that is specially designed to keep odors at bay. It can easily be cleaned with soap and water to be reused. This product has an overall rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “This thing is awesome! Haven’t had any issues with yucky smells yet and we’ve been using it for close to a month now. We empty it about 1-2 times a week depending on our food waste. Would definitely recommend!” Hannah
4. Bamboozle Food Compost Bin, Indoor Food Composter for Kitchen in Natural
Don’t you just love a product that works great and looks amazing? The Bamboozle Food Compost Bin is a gorgeous food composter that is made of biodegradable, dishwasher safe, and durable bamboo fiber that’s eco-friendly. This unique compost bin is made with bamboo fibers that are ground into a fine material that is molded into it. This type of bamboo is sustainable, durable, repurposed, and biodegradable so you’re sure you’re using a product that is also good for the environment. Customers love it because it is easy to remove, easy to clean, thick, sturdy, and durable. The Bamboozle food compost bin has an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “This bin is attractive on my countertop! It’s easy to open when I have a handful, easy to clean and the lid with the charcoal filter gets rid of all odors.” Paige Tatum
5. Chef’n 401-420-120 EcoCrock Counter Compost Bin in Black and White 3.3 Liter
Featuring a whimsical, contemporary design, this modern 3-liter ceramic countertop compost bin features a vented lid, removable inner bucket, and a replaceable natural charcoal filter that traps and absorbs odors effectively so your kitchen won’t stink! Its dual bucket design is made with an inner bucket and built in handle for easy handling. This compost bin also comes with two replaceable natural charcoal filters and features a tapered design that allows for easy clean up. This item is top rack dishwasher safe. It has an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “This has changed the course of my composting and increased the buy-in from my family. All the compost makes it outside, because there is no smelly pile sitting on the counter waiting for me to get home, ultimately ending up In the trash. It is attractive and controls the smell as promised.” CaliTriDude
Best Compost Bins for Your Backyard
1. Miracle-Gro Small Composter Compact Single Chamber Outdoor Garden Compost Bin
Got a small backyard? Worry not as the Miracle-Gro’s outdoor compost bin tumbler is small but mighty! With a 105-liter volume, this composter can fit in a balcony, porch, patio, or rooftop garden. Now you can transform your food waste into rich, fertile compost that can be used in just four to six weeks with the Miracle-Gro’s unique aeration system. This composter features internal mixing bars that speed up decomposition so you can compost faster. This composter also features a heavy duty design with a side-locking mechanism that ensures easy loading and unloading. Its durable construction maintains a tight seal and the BPA-free, food grade, UV-protected plastic does not contain toxins, so it’s safe to use around the family. This composter has an overall rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “I like to compost and this small composter suits the needs of my relatively small garden. It is easy to spin when full and easy to move for emptying.” Elizabeth S. Hodges
2. VIVOSUN Tumbling Composter Dual Rotating Batch Compost Bin, 43 Gallons
Those with larger gardens will need to go with the Vivosun tumbling composter, which features two chambers for batch composting, the most efficient way to produce quality compost. One side is for “cooking” while the other side can receive fresh materials. When you continuously swap sides, you create an uninterrupted flow of rich, healthy compost. Its rotating design offers a hands-free way of composting so you don’t have to dig or mix your compost pile with your hands. Just fill and tumble! This composter features adjustable air vents and deep fins to strengthen air circulation and help decompose clumps in its chambers. It is made of galvanized steel and high-quality PP plastic for long lasting durability. This composter has an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “Easy to assemble, easy to use. Great gift idea for your family since Earth Day is around the corner. Get one and reduce your waste!” GoVegan
3. DF Omer Garden Composter Bin Made from Recycled Plastic, 420-liters
This Earth Day, help reduce the world’s waste by investing in a composter bin that lets you create compost for your garden. Sometimes, composting can seem like a chore even for the most brilliant gardeners. Good thing there’s DF Omar’s eco-friendly composter bin, which is made from BPA-free recycled plastic. Simply fill the bin with organic waste and use this vitamin-enriched soil from your compost box to enrich your garden. This composter is easy to assemble and simple to use so you need not worry of any hassle. It also comes with padlock ready tight doors with holes for easy locking with a padlock. Its narrow openings also keep rodents out. All you need to do is load from the top and collect from the bottom. This composter has an overall rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “This is an easy to assemble, nice big compost bin. With hinged top doors, vented sides, and a shovel access opening at the bottom, makes this bin very easy to use. Only time will tell how it holds up.” David Hoffman
4. IM4000 Dual Chamber Tumbling Composter
Meet the original octagonal dual chamber tumbling composter from IM4000, a composter that makes mixing easy and efficient. All you need to do is close the door and turn it five to six times every two to three days and you’re all set! Expect great compost in just two weeks, especially during hot summers. Great for beginners, this composter from IM4000 features large openings and a removable door that makes it effortless to add scraps and clippings. It also features two composter chambers that allows one side to finish while leaving the second side available for fresh scraps to be stored. Made of BPA free, UV inhibited, 100% post-consumer recycled polypropylene that does not degrade under sunlight. This composter has an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “This was easy to assemble, i was able to do it myself with only a couple of tools. Set it back to the garden in the sun, easy access to add clippings and food waste.” Kat
5. Squeeze Master Large Compost Tumbler Bin
Say goodbye to digging and mashing with your hands with this tumbler bin that lets you create compost effortlessly. Easy to rotate, this composter features air holes for the best air circulation so you can develop compost faster and resulting in better quality. This composter is made of BPA-free PP material and comes with a sturdy steel frame with a maximum load bearing of 352 lbs. This product has an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “This product was perfect for our backyard composting . Looks great , easy to assemble and our first composted “batch” came out beautifully . Contacted customer service for an adjustment to invoice. They were responsive and generous in their correspondence. Definitely, would recommend for both the product and customer service!” MB
More great ideas on sustainable living await in the stories from our archive below. Make sure to check those out and don’t forget to sign up for the weekly Teelie Turner newsletter, which brings you the latest deals and discounts in lifestyle and living.
Sustainable Living: Mother’s Day Gifts for Eco-friendly Moms
Spring/Summer 2021 Home Trend: Natural Materials
How to Switch to Eco-friendly Bath and Beauty Products
International Plastic Bag Free Day: Top Eco-Friendly, Reusables for Your Home & Family
Best Products to Help You Live More Sustainably This Year
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