Wake County is offering $50 compost bins again (how much, house)

[greenie72]

Discounted Compost Bins


Got compost?

[Stede Bonnet]

Compost happens.

[BoBromhal]

I gave up on that one and bought a dual tumbler for ~$150 at Costco maybe 5 years ago. It's great to get folks to compost, but there's a big difference in effort and results between forking around that igloo and turning a barrel.

[greenie72]

Originally Posted by BoBromhal

I gave up on that one and bought a dual tumbler for ~$150 at Costco maybe 5 years ago. It's great to get folks to compost, but there's a big difference in effort and results between forking around that igloo and turning a barrel.

I think it depends on your goals.


Mine is to reduce the waste I send to the landfill, and eventually get compost. I have it now, after a year, but I'm not harvesting it yet. I just keep adding kitchen scraps, vacuum bin contents, dryer lint, shredded paper and cardboard, leaves. I bought the aerator because it's the best design I've seen, and it does the job well.


If I wanted faster results, I'd probably do what you did and get something that mixes the ingredients up faster/easier.

[Spedteach17]

Originally Posted by greenie72

I think it depends on your goals.


Mine is to reduce the waste I send to the landfill, and eventually get compost. I have it now, after a year, but I'm not harvesting it yet. I just keep adding kitchen scraps, vacuum bin contents, dryer lint, shredded paper and cardboard, leaves. I bought the aerator because it's the best design I've seen, and it does the job well.


If I wanted faster results, I'd probably do what you did and get something that mixes the ingredients up faster/easier.

That's my goal too and thanks for the additional ideas to add in. Do you have a kit from Wake and are you happy with it? Are all of the accessories worth it? We back to woods so I was thinking the rodent cover was a good idea and we need an aerator.

[greenie72]

Originally Posted by Spedteach17

That's my goal too and thanks for the additional ideas to add in. Do you have a kit from Wake and are you happy with it? Are all of the accessories worth it? We back to woods so I was thinking the rodent cover was a good idea and we need an aerator.

I considered the rodent cover. I didn't get it, and figured I could always get it later if it proved to be an issue. I don't have woods backing up to my house but we do have natural areas around and so far, we haven't seen any issue. And I do put things in like apple cores, lettuce, etc that probably would draw them.


Years ago I started composting and had a kitchen bin custom made for me with a fabric handle from an Etsy seller here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1802369..._home_active_4


It kind of looks like that and has served us really well over the years. It's nicer looking than the plastic bin they're selling through the County and I don't mind it on the counter. The only thing is, because of how much coffee we drink (esp since the virus with both of us home), the pail fills up at least twice a week. I guess what I'm saying is, get a pail with a lid and a handle that you're ok being within easy reach of the kitchen, because you're more likely to use it.


The aerator, to me, is definitely worth it. The "wings" that come out are big enough to mix things up but not too big where it's going to be too heavy to pull up. It hangs in my garage when I'm not using it.


The handy list of compostable items is cute, but I find this list from NC State Extension is better: https://composting.ces.ncsu.edu/2017...osted-at-home/


I compost dog hair, dryer lint, everything I vacuum, coffee grounds, shredded paper and cardboard, leaves, garden clippings, etc. My garbage and recycling has gone down significantly since I started composting.


Do you see rodents around your area already? I'd think setting the composter on top of a strip or two of chicken wire may be enough to keep them at bay.