Indoor compost bins are a great way to reduce your impact on the environment and save you money. By composting your food scraps and other organic materials, you can create a nutrient-rich soil amendment that will help your garden flourish.

Composting also reduces the amount of methane gas that is released into the atmosphere. It is a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change, so by reducing its quantity you contribute to the improvement of living conditions on earth.

Here are some tips on how to make an indoor compost bin.

What You’ll Need

  • Container
  • Kitchen scraps
  • Organic materials

How To Make an Indoor Compost Bin

Step One: Choose Your Container

kitchen scraps in an indoor compost bucket

Image Credit: stacey_newman on Canva

Choose a container that will fit the number of kitchen scraps and yard waste you generate. A good size for most households is a 3-to-5-gallon (11-19 L) bucket with a lid. Be sure to drill holes in the bottom of the container for drainage.

Most indoor compost bins have a lid to keep the compost from dehydrating or getting too smelly. Some also have filters to keep fruit flies and other pests out. If you live in an area with a lot of bugs, you may want to consider one of these models.

Finally, think about how easy the bin is to clean. Some models can be washed in the dishwasher, while others require more manual cleaning. Consider how often you will be using the bin and how much time you are willing to spend cleaning it when making your decision.

Step Two: Add Your Materials

Leaves Turning Yellow

Image credits: Deborah Kletch via Canva

Indoor compost bins are a great way to reduce your impact on the environment and save money on your garbage bill.

Add some shredded newspaper, dry leaves, or other carbon-rich materials to the bottom of the container. This will help to absorb excess moisture and keep your compost from getting too soggy.

Composting also reduces the amount of methane gas that is released into the atmosphere, which is a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

Step Three: Add Your Scraps

gardener hands holding compost
Image credit: Grahamphoto23 via Canva

Image credit: Grahamphoto23 via Canva

Adding kitchen scraps to your indoor compost bins is a great way to reduce waste and add nutrients to your plants. Start by adding a layer of leaves, grass, or other organic matter to your bin. Then, add a layer of food scraps. Be sure to chop up any larger pieces of food, so they decompose more quickly.

Finally, cover the top of the bin with another layer of organic matter. Repeat this process until your bin is full. When it's time to empty the bin, simply spread the compost on your garden beds or use it as mulch around your plants. This will help improve drainage and prevent erosion while also providing essential nutrients for your plants. Plus, it's a great way to reduce your carbon footprint!

Step Four: Maintain Your Compost

indoor compost bin

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By regularly turning the compost, you aerate it and help decomposition occur more quickly. It also allows oxygen to reach the microorganisms breaking down the organic matter they need to survive. Additionally, stirring the compost helps evenly distribute moisture and prevents clumping.

Remember to keep it moist. Compost should be moist but not soggy – think of a wrung-out sponge. Too much moisture will cause the compost to break down more slowly; too little will make it difficult for the microorganisms that do the decomposing to thrive.

Finally, give your indoor compost bin some protection against the sun. Compost that’s exposed to direct sunlight will heat up and break down more quickly, but one that’s in shade will break down more slowly. Either way is fine, as long as you keep an eye on the moisture level. If your compost bin is getting too hot, you can cover it to help control the temperature.

Step Five: Add To Your Garden  

compost improves soil nutrition

Image credits: maxmann via Pixabay

Adding compost to your plants is a great way to give them a boost of nutrients. To use compost on your plants, simply add it to the soil around the base of the plant. You can also top-dress your plants by adding a layer of compost to the top of the soil.

This is especially beneficial during the growing season when plants are actively taking up nutrients. Be sure to water regularly after adding compost, as it will help break down the organic matter and release the nutrients into the soil.

In Summary

If you’re looking for a simple and efficient way to reduce your waste and provide nutrients for your plants, an indoor compost bin is a perfect solution. By following these tips, you’ll be on your way to creating healthy compost that will benefit your garden.

Do you have any tips or tricks? Let us know in the comments below!