Building a Compost Bin From Pallets
Assemble your materials: (images 1-4 below)
-4 pallets from whomever will give them to you: try nurseries, grocery stores, furniture stores, etc. Some use returnable pallets so don't be offended if they say no--they are already recycling them!
-a drill, bit, 3" woodscrews, hook and eye closures
-chicken wire
-staple gun
-an audience--doesn't have to be a horse but in my case, well...
-a personal assistant is nice; opposable thumbs optional
Build your bin: (images 5-10 below)
-screw 3 pallets together with drill and wood screws (3 per side-top, middle, bottom). I positioned mine so the tall sides were vertical though you don't have to.
-staple chicken wire 1/3 the way up the height of the bin. This allows air to circulate above and below compostables until they decompose enough to fall through the mesh. This assures for a nice small crumble with the finished product.
-insert the hooks into the sides of the 4th pallet and place it up against the 3 sided structure to determine the position of the eyes. Mark the position, drill the hole and screw in the eyes.
-Insert hooks into eyes to secure the fourth and removable side of your bin.
-That's it! You're finished. Add your scraps (any vegetable trimmings, leaves, grass, egg shells, coffee grounds, manure, etc.). Without a top, this bin will be wetted by rain but you might want to turn a hose on it in a drought.
