How to Build an Indoor Compost Container

Depending on the space available in your kitchen and your personal needs, you can build an indoor compost container and make use of your organic waste. An indoor composting bin is an ideal way to go green, as the organic waste of your household can be used to produce rich compost that can help provide essential nutrients to your garden plants. The container you use for your compost need not be expensive. You can buy a cheap one or even make one yourself.

Tools and Materials Needed:

• 10-gallon metal garbage can (for a small compost container)
• Black and white newspaper
• Rubber mat
• Organic potting mix
• Composted organic manure
• Food scraps
• Pieces of wood
• Drill with a quarter inch bit

Step 1: Assemble the Bin

Drill several holes in the bottom of the metal garbage can with the quarter inch bit. These holes are necessary to allow air to circulate inside the bin and speed up the composting process. Shred the newspaper into small bits. Place the rubber mat on the floor and place some pieces of wood at the corners and in the middle of the mat. Place the garbage can on the pieces of wood.

Step 2: Prepare the Compost

Place the shredded newspaper bits in the can along with the organic potting mix. Add some food scraps to the can. Sprinkle some composted organic manure on the food scraps and cover this with another layer of newspaper and potting mix. Add some brown compost like leaves and some green compost of food scraps before covering the contents with another layer of potting mix and newspaper.

Step 3: Start Composting

A little water should be added to speed up the composting process. The waste should be damp but not dripping wet, because too much water can increase the ratio of bad bacteria in the compost. Cover the garbage can and keep it aside for a period of two to five weeks, by which time the compost should be ready. New waste can be added to the container or you can use another container for a new batch of compost.

Compost made in this manner can be added as a supplement to your vegetable and herb garden in lieu of fertilizers.