Build a Pallet Compost Bin

Composting breaks down organic materials like grass clippings, dead leaves, fruit and vegetable scraps, manure and many food scraps into a rich fertilizer that can benefit any garden while reducing the amount of materials thrown away in the average home by as much as 30 percent. Compost bins can be as small as a gallon, or house enormous piles and sometimes cost hundreds of dollars. Composting is a great way to live green, and the practice can be extended by using recycled materials to make your compost bin with little to no investment.

A pallet is a simple wooden construction (4' x 4') that is used in shipping to stack goods to be moved by forklift. Pallets are inexpensive to produce and are often thrown away once stores have received their deliveries. Check with a manager at your local box or hardware store and they are usually happy to give them away free of charge. Four uniform pallets and a spool of baling wire or a packet of zip ties are all it takes to make a compost bin that is easy to manage, perfectly sized for most homes and will get you started with minimal expense.

Pallets aren’t carefully crafted and can also take a beating as they are pushed around by forklift. Before getting started, inspect pallets for loose boards, splintered wood or protruding nails. Use a hammer to tap nails back into place or pull those that are bent to restore the sturdiness of damaged pallets and ensure no exposed nails will pose a hazard during the construction or use of your compost bin.

Wipe pallets down with soapy water and scrub with a brush, if necessary, to remove any spills that may stain clothes or contaminate compost.