Kitchen Compost Bin
A kitchen compost bin or pail is not a necessity to composting, but it can certainly make life much easier. The purpose of a kitchen compost bin is to hold kitchen and household scraps until you can take them out to the compost bin. If you find that you cannot take scraps out to the compost bin or pile frequently, a good quality kitchen compost bin or pail can truly be a benefit.
There are many different items that can be used as a kitchen compost pail. If you browse online or shop in a home improvement store, you will be able to find specially designed kitchen compost bins that were manufactured just for that purpose. They can be produced from a variety of materials including ceramic, plastic and metal. Most kitchen compost bins feature a tight fitting lid that will help to prevent odors from escaping.
If you would rather not purchase a kitchen compost bin or pail, you can also make your own bin. Almost any item will work, including a large coffee can or a plastic pail. While it does not necessarily need a lid, you will likely find that a tight fitting lid is a convenience that you do not want to do without. A lid will keep smells in and pests out, which is important if you do not plan to take your waste materials out on a daily basis.
When choosing kitchen compost bins be sure to take into consideration how much waste material your kitchen produces. If you do not cook often then a small container will probably suffice, but if you cook frequently then you may need to either obtain two kitchen compost bins or consider a larger size. A larger sized kitchen compost bin will help you to avoid the necessity of having to go out to the compost bin or pile too frequently.
Finally, consider whether you wish to use kitchen compost bags in your bin or not. Although they are an extra expense, they can make it much easier to keep your kitchen compost bin clean and odor free. Once the material is ready to go to the compost pile, all you have to do is collect the bag, secure it and then replace it. The bag can then be emptied into the compost bin and tossed away for neat and easy clean-up.