HOW TO COMPOST

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How to Build a Compost Pile For Your Home Using Recycled Pallets

Building your own compost pile is a fun way to recycle old food scraps and help plants grow! You can even use old wooden pallets to make a compost bin. Follow these steps to get started!

What You Need

• 4 wooden pallets (the same size)

• Strong sticks or metal poles (4-6, about 3-4 feet long)

• Zip ties or thick string (to tie the pallets together)

• Optional: A door latch and hinges if you want to make a door on the front.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Pick the Perfect Spot

• Find a spot in your yard where the ground is flat and not too sunny. It should be easy to reach so you can throw in your food scraps!

2. Get the Pallets Ready

• Check your pallets: Make sure they are in good shape with no sharp edges. It’s best to use ones that haven’t been treated with chemicals (look for pallets marked with “HT” for heat-treated).

3. Build the Back and Sides

• Back Wall: Stand up one pallet to be the back of your compost bin.

• Side Walls: Stand up two more pallets for the sides, one on each side of the back pallet. Use zip ties or string to tie the pallets together.

4. Add the Front

• Front Wall: Stand up the last pallet to be the front of your bin. If you want, you can attach it with a latch so it can open like a door! Otherwise, you can tie it on like the sides.

5. Make it Stronger

• If you want your compost bin to be extra strong, stick the long poles or sticks into the ground at the corners of your bin and tie the pallets to them. This helps keep everything in place.

Time to Compost!

Now that your compost bin is ready, you can start adding things! Here’s what to do:

• Add Greens and Browns: Composting needs a mix of two things:

• Greens: These are things like fruit and veggie peels, grass clippings, and food scraps (no meat or dairy).

• Browns: These are dry things like dead leaves, paper, and small twigs.

• Turn the Pile: Use a rake or a shovel to mix your compost every few weeks. This helps everything break down faster.

• Keep It Moist: Your compost pile should be damp like a sponge. If it’s too dry, sprinkle a little water. If it’s too wet, add more dry stuff like leaves or paper.