Compost Bin DIY: Quick Pallet Project

July 21, 2023 By Contributor 39 Comments

how-to-make-a-compost-bin-diy- — Compost Bin DIY: How To Make A Compost Bin Out of Pallets and Zipties

Looking for a great weekend project that will not take your whole weekend? Have some yard cleanup to do anyway? Try this pallet compost bin we built out of repurposed pallets and zip ties. It takes less than an hour, and is actually a great compost bin, due to the way the pallets create structure to the pile, but also allow ventilation. Practically free, super fast to build, and it allows you to compost a large amount of material.

compost-bin-diy-pallet-composter — Throw all your yard clippings, leaves and compostable table scraps in this easy to make compost bin.

How To Build A Pallet Compost Bin:

Supplies Needed:

Pack of zip ties (18 or more)

4 repurposed pallets

A helper (optional)

Step One:

Find and select 4 pallets.

Although most any pallet will do, if you were wanting make the bin visually pleasing and/or decorative, try to find pallets of the same size with intact slats. If you wish to, you can paint the outside pallet slats with a brush or spray paint.

Pallet Finding Tip: Where do you find pallets? I have had success finding them at the back of tile shops, on the side of the road, and when I really need them, or I need large quantities, for sale pretty inexpensively off Craigslist. Be on the lookout- once you start looking for them diligently, you will be surprised how many you find, sometimes in unexpected places.

pallet-compost-bin — Pallets come in many shapes and sizes. Each one is little bit different, but you can find similar ones if you look hard enough.

Step Two:

Before you begin putting your pallets together, you need to make your zip ties long enough to join the pallets together. String one through the end loop of another one, then when you want to “tie” them, you put the end of the first through the loop of the second. You will only be joining the bin on three sides, so nine (9) joined zip ties should be enough.

easy-compost-bin — To make the zip ties long enough, string them together like this. To join them, put the end of the first zip tie through the loop in the second.

Step Three:

Stand your pallets up and place them at a 90 degree angle to one another. Try to find an arrangement where the pallet heights and widths can be put together to make a square or rectangular structure. No two pallets are alike, so you may need to move them around a bit until you find the best combination.

easy-pallet-projects — It does not really matter which side of the pallet faces outward.

Step Four:

Join two pallets together. Using your joined zip tie pairs, begin joining two of your pallets together to start forming your structure. Use three long zip ties for each corner of the compost bin. (One corner is left unsecured so you will have a door. The zip ties are somewhat flexible and act as a hinge)

compost-bin-diy-instructions — Once you know which pallets work best together, start joining them with your zip ties.

step-by-step-compost-bin — Put the end of one zip tie through the loop of the second attached zip tie and pull them to secure.

how_to_make_a_compost_bin_pallet — Use three zip ties on each corner so they will be attached securely to one another.

how_to_make_a_compost_bin_plans — Once you have placed three zip ties, your first corner is complete.

Step Five:

Place a third pallet at a 90 degree angle to the first two joined pallets and zip tie one corner to the first pair of secured pallets.

diy-compost-bin — Take a third pallet and line it up with the first two.

homemade-compost-bin — It is fine if one or more of your pallets is taller than the others. It is only important that the widths are somewhat close, not the heights.

how-to-make-a-compost-bin — Using the same method as before, secure this pallet to the first two.

Step Six:

Place your fourth pallet with the first three so that you have a square or rectangular shape. You will only attach one corner her so that you will have a door, allowing you to open the bin to add or access your compost. It does not matter which corner you attach. If you are right handed, attach the final side so that you have a door that you can open with your right hand. If you are left handed, attach it so that the door can be opened with your left hand. Do not pull the zip ties on this side too tightly. You want them to be secure, but yet retain enough flexibility to allow you and close the bin from the opposite side.

compost-bins — If you are right handed, attach the zip ties on the left side, so that the hinge is on your left.

how-to-make-a-cheap-compost-bin — As you did before, use three zip tie pairs to secure the pallets. Do not pull the zip ties on this side too tight. You can always tighten them later.

compost-bin-how-to — You will leave one side open, so that you have a door to add and remove contents from the compost bin.

Step 7:

Add leaves, lawn clippings and/or table scraps to the bin and allow to compost naturally.

how-to-make-compost — This is a great way to actually make great use of your time when raking leaves, add them to your compost bin as you go.

how-to-compost-table-scraps — Table scraps can be added straight to your compost bin. Make use of your table scraps, not waste-compost them.

compost-bin-instructions — A dense compost pile will yield nutrient rich results in as soon as a few weeks.

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Ready to build cool stuff with pallets? Check out our other DIY pallet posts!

https://diyprojects.com/projects-pallet-wine-rack/

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Comments

Todd Stokes says

January 24, 2014 at 9:06 am

I just found this site today. The only description I can give is – OUTSTANDING. Please continue to expand. I am absolutely ready to start several of the ideas that you present. THANK YOU, keep up the good work.

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- Stephanie says
  
  January 24, 2014 at 2:45 pm
  
  Wow. Thank you. We are working to quickly bring you great content, but content with knowledge and experience behind it, which takes time. Please do keep checking back for more and be sure to follow us on Facebook to get our latest project news. We will also have a newsletter soon. Project suggestions welcome!
  
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Scout says

January 29, 2014 at 12:25 am

its important to shred the leaves first or they take forever to mulch

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Stephanie says

February 6, 2014 at 9:00 pm

cool

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Stephanie says

February 6, 2014 at 9:01 pm

yes, it is

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Jack Shannon Sr. says

February 14, 2014 at 4:07 am

I’m not sure if you would want to use colored pallets. They are treated for bugs and some are used in chemical plants. This might make them not suitable for a composting bin.

Jack

P.S. Please check this out as I am not sure here. But better to err on the side of caution.

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Caitlyn says

February 18, 2014 at 6:26 pm

I live in GA and we get quite a lot of rain here, would having the top open like this pose any kind of problem?

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Brenda Windell says

March 11, 2014 at 2:44 pm

I found FREE pallets at a local farm equipment shop. They were happy to give me all I wanted to get rid of them as they have to pay someone to haul them off. You may want to check your local farm equipment places.

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Dave says

May 16, 2014 at 6:17 pm

Good ideas, but the compost bin will last longer if you do it this way:
You’ll need 10 pallets, of similar size;
attach chicken wire to the inside;
put them upright, with a steel fencepost or steel signpost driven into the ground. You only need one upright per outside pallet;
make a 3-sided bin with wire instead of tiewraps, then add 2 more to make a second bin, then 2 more to make a third;
attach the front loosely with wire so you can remove it to get the finished compost out.
The 3-bin system lets you turn the first bin into the second, then into the third one, so you can keep making compost.
I have a 3-bin compost bin that is going on 8 years old. As long as you don’t try to move anything except the fronts of the bins, it’ll keep its shape.
And, it’s mostly free.

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- Stephanie says
  
  May 19, 2014 at 8:06 am
  
  Thanks for the awesome tips!
  
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- sarah says
  
  October 1, 2014 at 11:06 am
  
  Hi Dave,
  
  I am planning on making a 3 bin composting system very similar to your description. I am wondering where, on the outside pallets did you place the fence post, rebar? What do you think of putting it in between the two halves of the pallet and in the back corners? I am hoping to have a hinged door on the first two sections so perhaps the rebar needs to be in front to make it sturdier. What do you think? Many thanks!
  Peace,
  Sarah
  
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Sarahjane says

January 19, 2023 at 5:29 pm

I plan to make a pallet surround to ‘hide’ the gas tank in our yard. This is a perfect design and just what I wanted. Thank you! I will be adding hanging little pots of flowers to decorate the pallets. I made a succulent wall planter that turned out lovely and a back deck for the tiny house we built inside our barn. Next spring, the gas tank surround thanks to you!

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