The best examples of 3 DIY examples of backyard compost bins (that actually work)

3 real-world DIY backyard compost bins (with examples you can copy)

Let’s skip theory and start with real examples of 3 DIY examples of backyard compost bins that normal people actually use and maintain:

• A wood pallet compost bin for bigger yards and gardeners who generate a lot of yard waste.
• A drilled plastic trash can composter for small spaces and renters.
• A homemade compost tumbler for people who want faster compost and a tidier look.

These three designs show up again and again in the best examples of backyard composting because they’re cheap, forgiving, and easy to repair or upgrade.

Example of DIY Backyard Compost Bin #1: The Pallet Bin

If you want something sturdy, breathable, and inexpensive, the pallet bin is one of the best examples of 3 DIY examples of backyard compost bins in action.

Why pallets work so well

Wood pallets are everywhere: behind grocery stores, big-box retailers, garden centers. Many businesses are happy to let you take their damaged or extra pallets if you ask politely. The slatted design lets air flow through your compost, which helps it break down faster and stay less smelly.

You’ll typically use three or four pallets:

• Three pallets for the back and sides.
• One pallet or a scrap-wood panel for the front (optional, but handy).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) points out that composting yard and food waste keeps materials out of landfills and cuts methane emissions, a powerful greenhouse gas (epa.gov). A pallet bin makes it easier to actually stick with that habit.

How to build it (step-by-step, but simple)

1. Pick your spot. You want bare soil, not concrete. That lets worms and microbes move in. Aim for a spot with partial shade so the pile doesn’t dry out.
2. Stand three pallets upright to form a U-shape. The open side faces you.
3. Secure them together with outdoor screws, zip ties, or metal brackets. If you’re renting, zip ties make it easy to disassemble later.
4. Optional front panel. Add a fourth pallet or a short removable panel in front to keep everything tidy.

That’s it. You now have a simple, breathable compost bin.

Real-life variations and examples

Here are some real examples of how people tweak this basic idea:

• A suburban gardener in Ohio uses two pallet bins side by side: one for “active” compost, one for “finishing.” When one fills, they switch to the other.
• A family in California lined the inside with hardware cloth (wire mesh) to keep rats and raccoons out but still let air flow.
• A community garden in New York built three pallet bays in a row: one for fresh material, one for half-finished compost, one for finished compost ready to use.

These examples include small upgrades like:

• A hinged front gate made from scrap 2x4s.
• A simple tarp thrown over the top in heavy rain.
• Painted pallets (with non-toxic exterior paint) to match a fence.

When people talk about the best examples of 3 DIY examples of backyard compost bins, pallet systems almost always make the list because they’re so easy to scale up.

What to put in your pallet bin

Think of compost ingredients as browns and greens:

• Greens (nitrogen-rich): fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, tea leaves, fresh grass clippings.
• Browns (carbon-rich): dry leaves, shredded cardboard, paper, straw, sawdust from untreated wood.

Aim for about 2–3 parts browns to 1 part greens by volume. The University of Illinois Extension has a simple breakdown of good browns and greens if you want a deeper list (extension.illinois.edu).

Example of DIY Backyard Compost Bin #2: The Drilled Trash Can

If you’re renting, short on space, or don’t want anything “permanent,” the drilled trash can composter is a fantastic example of a compact, low-commitment bin.

Why this example works for small yards and patios

Among the best examples of 3 DIY examples of backyard compost bins for beginners, this one is especially forgiving. You can tuck it behind a shed, on a side yard, or even on a sturdy balcony (as long as the landlord’s cool with it).

You’ll need:

• A plastic trash can with a tight-fitting lid (32–40 gallons is common).
• A drill with a 1/4-inch bit.
• Bricks, pavers, or scrap wood to elevate the can.

How to turn a trash can into a compost bin

1. Drill air holes all around the sides, bottom, and even the lid. Space them a few inches apart. This provides airflow and drainage.
2. Raise the can on bricks or blocks so extra moisture can drain out the bottom.
3. Add a starter layer of small sticks or coarse browns at the bottom for drainage.
4. Start layering kitchen scraps and browns.

Some people roll the can on its side once a week to mix the contents. Others just stir with a shovel or pitchfork.

Real examples of how people use this bin

Here are some real-world examples of this style in action:

• A couple in a small Denver backyard keeps two trash can composters: one for current scraps, one left alone to finish.
• A renter in Texas uses a bungee cord to secure the lid so raccoons can’t pop it open.
• A teacher in Oregon uses four small drilled cans as classroom composters, letting students add lunch scraps and observe decomposition.

These examples of 3 DIY examples of backyard compost bins show how flexible the trash can style can be. You can:

• Use a smaller can (10–20 gallons) if you’re solo and don’t cook much.
• Drill extra holes and slide in a PVC pipe with holes as a central air shaft.
• Label cans for different uses: one for yard waste, one for mostly kitchen waste.

Keeping odors under control

If your can starts to smell:

• Add more browns (shredded cardboard, dry leaves).
• Stir or roll it more often to introduce air.
• Make sure the bottom isn’t sitting in a puddle; that traps moisture.

The EPA’s home composting guidance emphasizes balancing moisture and airflow to avoid odors and pests (epa.gov/recycle/composting-home). This small-scale example of a compost bin makes it easy to adjust those two factors.

Example of DIY Backyard Compost Bin #3: The Homemade Tumbler

If you like things neat, contained, and a bit more high-tech, the homemade compost tumbler is one of the best examples of 3 DIY examples of backyard compost bins for faster results.

A tumbler is simply a container you can rotate. Turning the compost regularly introduces oxygen and mixes browns and greens, which can speed up decomposition.

What you’ll need

• A large barrel or drum (often 30–55 gallons), food-grade if possible.
• A sturdy frame made from wood or metal.
• A rod or pipe that runs through the barrel so it can rotate.
• A latchable lid or cut-out door you can close securely.

How this example typically gets built

1. Prepare the barrel. Rinse it well if it previously held anything. Cut a hatch in the side and add hinges and a latch.
2. Drill ventilation holes around the barrel to allow air flow.
3. Build a frame that holds the barrel off the ground with a rod through its center so it can spin.
4. Mount the barrel on the frame, making sure it turns smoothly.

This is a little more advanced than the pallet bin or trash can, but still totally doable with basic tools.

Real-life tumbler examples

Some real examples of tumbler-style DIY compost bins:

• A gardener in Washington State repurposed a 55-gallon food-grade drum from a local food manufacturer and mounted it on a simple 2x4 frame.
• A family in Florida used a metal sawhorse as the base and ran a steel pipe through the center of the barrel, then added simple wooden handles to spin it.
• A small urban farm in Chicago built two tumblers side by side so one can “cook” while the other is being filled.

These examples include smart upgrades like:

• Adding internal baffles (small boards inside) so the compost flips better when you spin it.
• Painting the barrel a dark color to absorb heat and speed up decomposition.
• Marking the outside with date lines so you remember when you last started a batch.

Among the best examples of 3 DIY examples of backyard compost bins, tumblers stand out for people who want less bending, less mess, and faster breakdown.

More real examples: how different households adapt these 3 DIY bins

Let’s zoom out and look at how these three designs play out in real life. These examples of 3 DIY examples of backyard compost bins show how flexible they are:

• Family with kids, medium yard (pallet + trash can). They use a pallet bin for leaves and grass, plus a small trash can composter just for kitchen scraps. When the can gets full, they dump it into the pallet bin.
• Apartment renter with a balcony (trash can only). A 20-gallon drilled can handles all their veggie scraps. They give finished compost to a friend with a garden.
• Serious gardener, big yard (three-bin pallet system + tumbler). Pallet bins handle big yard cleanups. A tumbler is used for “hot” compost: coffee grounds, kitchen scraps, and shredded paper.
• Community garden (multiple pallet bays). Volunteers add plant waste and coffee grounds from a nearby café. One bay is always resting and finishing.
• Elderly gardener (tumbler only). A raised tumbler means no heavy lifting or pitchfork turning, just a few spins a week.

These real examples include all three main styles, showing that there isn’t one perfect system. The best examples are the ones that match your space, energy level, and how much waste you generate.

2024–2025 trends: Composting is going mainstream

In the last few years, home composting has moved from “hippie side project” to normal household habit. A few trends shaping how people build and use these bins:

• Food waste bans and curbside programs. More U.S. cities and states are restricting food waste in landfills or expanding organics collection. That’s pushing people to look for simple backyard solutions.
• Climate-conscious households. Composting is an easy way to cut your personal climate footprint. The EPA notes that food waste in landfills generates methane, while composting returns nutrients to soil instead.
• Gardening boom. Since 2020, home gardening has surged. Compost bins are now standard equipment for many veggie gardeners.

DIY bins are part of that story. They’re cheap, repairable, and can be built from reclaimed materials—pallets, used barrels, old trash cans—reducing demand for new plastic products.

For more background on the environmental benefits of composting and soil health, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has helpful soil and compost resources (usda.gov).

FAQ: Real questions about DIY backyard compost bins

What are some examples of easy DIY compost bins for beginners?

Some of the best examples of beginner-friendly bins are the drilled plastic trash can, the simple pallet bin, and a basic homemade tumbler. These examples of 3 DIY examples of backyard compost bins cover most situations: small spaces, larger yards, and people who want faster compost.

What is an example of a compost bin for a very small yard?

A 20–32 gallon drilled trash can is a great example of a compact bin. It takes up about the footprint of a regular trash can, can be moved if needed, and works on a small patch of soil or even a sturdy patio.

Can these DIY bins attract pests?

They can, but good practices dramatically reduce the risk:

• Always bury food scraps under a layer of browns.
• Avoid meat, dairy, and oily foods.
• Use lids or covers, and consider wire mesh on pallet bins.

The EPA’s home composting advice backs this up: proper balance of materials, moisture, and covering food scraps helps keep pests away.

How long does it take to get finished compost in these examples?

It depends on how often you turn the pile, the mix of materials, and your climate:

• A well-managed tumbler: as fast as 2–3 months.
• A trash can or pallet bin that’s turned occasionally: around 4–9 months.
• A neglected, never-turned pile: a year or more.

Do I need fancy tools or equipment?

No. These examples of 3 DIY examples of backyard compost bins were chosen because they can be built with basic tools: a drill, screwdriver, saw (for the tumbler frame), and maybe a shovel or pitchfork for turning.

Is home compost safe for growing food?

When done correctly, yes. Finished compost should look like dark, crumbly soil and smell earthy. For extra safety and guidance on gardening and soil, land-grant university extensions like Cornell University offer detailed composting and soil health resources (cornell.edu).

Choosing your favorite of the 3 DIY backyard compost bin examples

If you’re still deciding which of these examples of 3 DIY examples of backyard compost bins to build, here’s the short version:

• Pick the pallet bin if you have space and lots of yard waste.
• Pick the drilled trash can if you’re renting, short on space, or just starting.
• Pick the tumbler if you want faster compost and a cleaner look.

You can always start with one and add another as your composting habit grows. Many of the best examples out there are hybrid setups: a trash can for kitchen scraps, a pallet bin for leaves, a tumbler for “hot” batches.

Start small, keep it simple, and remember: imperfect composting is still far better than tossing everything in the trash. Your banana peels and coffee grounds are about to have a much better life.