Trash cans are slowly going out of style. It is not because of the sheer stench of rotting garbage or the tacky designs of most wastebaskets. It’s because composters are gradually gaining popularity, proving themselves alternatives to the traditional trash bin.
What makes these large deposits special is the fact that they are both trash cans and tools for recycling. When you use a composter, you’re not only eliminating your trash, but also doing your part to preserve the environment.
The composter is a container built to speed up the breakdown of biodegradable waste. This is made possible by the composter’s multiple layers, which are perfectly suited for the different stages of the biodegrading process. While a composter may sound complex, it is relatively easy to build. You can probably do it in two or three hours.
Buying a composter may not be a good move on your part since it is quite pricey. Building one yourself definitely sounds like the your most logical option, especially since almost all of the materials are easily found.
Materials Used:
plywood
2 x 4 wooden board
1 x 4 wooden planks
metal fence
hammer
nails
mechanical drill
pipe
circular saw
pencil
metal handle
stapler
The Surface
The surface is the composter’s key component. It should be sturdy enough to not get affected by the decaying contents of a composter, which is why using chemically treated wood is highly advisable. You can shape the surface to look like a drum so it will fit in your yard, garden or garage with ease. You have the freedom to customize the size and shape of your composter.
To create the surface of your composter, draw a circle on the sheet of plywood, depending on the chosen size of your composter. Cut the outline using a circular saw to get the top surface of your composter. Once you have the top surfaces, get five 2 x 4 wooden boards and nail them together to form a box.
You can pause to check how the structure holds up. It should be compact because decaying matter can easily fit into the spaces between boards and weaken the whole structure.
Once you have created your surface, drill a hole on one side and fit the piping in. Position the pipe on the lower portion of the composter so that it can suck in all the totally biodegraded items. At this point, you can consult your plumber so that he can create a piping chamber for the biodegraded materials.
The Composter’s Inner Layers
The inner layers of the composter serve as chambers for each stage in the biodegradation process. The first layer will hold the compostable items until they break down into more simplified items.
After the first biodegradation stage, the simplified items will fall to the second chamber of the composter. The second layer has a more compact surface and is connected to the pipe. Chemicals are then slid into the pipe to aid in completely breaking down the items.
When the items are totally biodegraded, they are deposited into a chamber beneath the composter. If you look at the entire process closely, the simplified items are returned to the earth as the whole process is part of a natural cycle.
You should work your way up when building the inner layers of your composter. First, build the lowest chamber by assembling a detachable layer using the sheet of plywood. Nail together five sheets of plywood and form a structure that looks like a big cabinet drawer. Slide it inside the composter and create an opening on the surface so that you will be able to pull the chamber out. Now, nail the metal handle on the chamber’s outer surface to complete the layer.
After finishing the lowest layer, you can proceed to create the biodegrading layer. Assemble several 1 x 4 planks then nail them together beside the pipe. Place very small openings between the planks so that the broken down items can pass through. Also, make sure that the pipe is positioned in such a way that it can cover the entire biodegrading layer if a chemical is slid in.
The last layer you will build is the compost cage. Grab the metal fence and stretch it out to create a layer. Attach the fence to the ends of the composter’s interior by using a stapler. Keep stapling the metal fence to the ends of the composter’s interior until the layer is steady and durable enough to carry a full-load of compost.
At this point, you have your makeshift composter that is as durable and as efficient as the expensive composters sold on the market.