12 best composting units

Composting units, often associated with Composting Tumblers, Composting Yard Waste Bins, Gardening Lawn Care, and Patio Lawn Garden, are containers or systems designed to facilitate the decomposition of organic materials into nutrient-rich compost. They are essential for gardeners and environmentally conscious individuals looking to recycle organic waste and improve soil quality.Here's what you need to know about composting units:

  1. Types of Composting Units:

    • Composting Tumblers: These are cylindrical containers that can be rotated or tumbled to mix and aerate the composting materials. They are often mounted on a frame or stand, making it easy to turn the tumbler. Composting tumblers help speed up the composting process by providing consistent aeration.

    • Composting Yard Waste Bins: These are larger, stationary bins designed for outdoor use. They can accommodate a substantial amount of yard waste, kitchen scraps, and other organic materials. Yard waste bins are open at the top to allow for easy filling and often have a hinged or removable front panel for access to the compost.

    • Indoor Composting Units: These are typically smaller containers designed for use in kitchens or indoor spaces. They are equipped with features to control odors and pests, making them suitable for urban or small-space living. Indoor composting units may use various methods, such as worms (vermicomposting) or microbial processes, to break down organic matter.

  2. Benefits:

    • Reduced Waste: Composting units divert organic waste from landfills, reducing the environmental impact of waste disposal.
    • Nutrient-Rich Compost: The compost produced in these units is a valuable soil amendment that improves soil fertility, structure, and water retention.
    • Sustainable Gardening: Compost generated from these units enriches garden soil, promoting healthy plant growth and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
  3. Composting Process: To use a composting unit, you add a mixture of "green" (nitrogen-rich) and "brown" (carbon-rich) organic materials. The composting process involves the breakdown of these materials by microorganisms. Aeration, moisture control, and proper layering are important factors for efficient composting.

  4. Maintenance: Regular maintenance of composting units includes turning the compost pile (in the case of tumblers), maintaining the right balance of green and brown materials, and ensuring appropriate moisture levels. Indoor units may require additional care to manage odor and prevent pest infestations.

  5. Compost Use: Once the composting process is complete, you can use the finished compost to amend garden soil, improve potting mixes, or as a natural fertilizer for plants.

Composting units are valuable tools for gardeners and environmentally conscious individuals. They provide a sustainable way to manage organic waste, reduce landfill contributions, and produce nutrient-rich compost that benefits gardens and landscapes. The choice between composting tumblers, yard waste bins, or indoor composting units depends on your space, lifestyle, and composting goals.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best composting units on the market
  

Community-Scale Composting Systems: A Comprehensive Practical Guide for Closing the Food System Loop and Solving Our Waste Crisis

Chelsea Green Publishing

Based on 11 reviews Check latest price

Putting Food By: Fifth Edition

Plume

Based on 342 reviews Check latest price

New Good Food Pocket Guide, rev: Shopper's Pocket Guide to Organic, Sustainable, and Seasonal Whole Foods

Ten Speed Press

Based on 16 reviews Check latest price

The Hidden Half of Nature: The Microbial Roots of Life and Health

Based on 184 reviews Check latest price

Welcome to the Farm: How-to Wisdom from The Elliott Homestead

Lyons Press

Based on 393 reviews Check latest price

The Gorgeously Green Diet: Save Money, Save the Planet, Simple Recipes

Plume

Based on 19 reviews Check latest price

Double Trouble (Orca Currents)

Based on 3 reviews Check latest price

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Cheese Making

Penguin Group

Based on 76 reviews Check latest price

FCMP Outdoor IM4000 Tumbling Composter, 37 gallon, Black

FCMP Outdoor

Based on 8 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Yimby Tumbler Composter, Color Black

  • Tumbling composter – avoid digging and mixing your compost pile by hand. The tumbling design makes mixing easy and efficient. Just close the door and turn it 5-6 times every 2-3 days. In hot sunny conditions and with a proper balance of ingredients the compost can finish in as little as 2 weeks.
  • Easy to use – fantastic for beginners! The large openings and removable door make it easy to add Scraps/clippings and remove finished compost. Deep Fins on the body provide great ergonomic handholds.
  • Two composter chambers are better than one – two separate sides allow the first side to finish while leaving the second side Available to add fresh Scraps/clippings. Continuously swapping sides after finishing will create an uninterrupted flow of rich, healthy compost. Total capacity 37 gallons (5 cu Ft)
  • Excellent aeration – all our composter models feature aeration holes as well as deep Fins to break up clumps inside the chamber and mix lots of oxygen into the compost. Tumbling composters allow far greater aeration than standard models.
  • Durable construction – BPA free, UV inhibited, 100% post-consumer recycled polypropylene is contact safe and will not degrade under direct sunlight. The galvanized steel frame is corrosion resistant.

User questions & answers

Question: what is the best mixture of scraps to put in the composter to start the first batch in a brand new yimby tumbler composter
Answer: Yes it does. It does not come with a mat.
Question: Any tips for winter usage, once temperatures cause the compost to freeze
Answer: Yes, if you print a cake on a shirt and make decorations for it then you could use it for cake decorating purposes
Question: do you have to put it together and is it difficult we are not good at assembly
Answer: I use a teflon sheet and no you don't have to press too hard. I used to use my iron and this thing is AAAAAmazing!!! Time and heat control... no more guessing or over heating.
Question: Is it bear proof
Answer: Your iron may be greatly superior to mine...But the advantages that this heat press has over my iron are these: 1) I'm able set the exact temperature I need. (I didn't realize what a difference this would make!) 2) The heat press is HEAVY. I want a lightweight iron for ironing clothes, but want pressure (which weight provides) for heat transfer designs. 3) This heat press has a timer. I've been amazed how much better my work turns out when I'm a little more careful about the timing. These are the three major advantages I've found in using a heat press over my iron. To be truthful, any heat press probably delivers these. But the smaller, more compact size (even with the largest, the 12 x 10--which I purchased), and hence, easier storage when not in use...is what tipped the scales for me when choosing the Cricut over the other brands of heat presses. Hope this helps your decision-making!

Product features

Tumbling Design

Avoid digging and mixing your compost pile by hand. The tumbling design makes mixing easy and efficient. Just close the door and turn it 5-6 times every 2-3 days. In hot sunny conditions and with a proper balance of ingredients the compost can finish in as little as 2 weeks.

Two Composting Chambers

Two separate sides allow the first side to finish cooking while leaving the second side available to add fresh scraps/clippings. Continuously swapping sides after finishing will create an uninterrupted flow of rich, healthy compost.

Durable Construction

The composter body is constructed from polypropylene. It is contact safe and will not degrade under direct sunlight. The galvanized steel frame is corrosion resistant.

Excellent Aeration

The composter features adjustable air vents as well as deep fins to break up clumps inside the chamber and mix lots of oxygen into the compost. Tumbling composters allow far greater aeration than standard models.

Nature's Head Self Contained Composting Toilet with Close Quarters Spider Handle Design

Nature's Head

Based on 436 reviews Check latest price

Product description

The Nature's Head Composting Toilet is the latest design, the best value, and the most reliable choice for portable, self contained, urine separating dry toilets -- on the water, on the land, or on the road." "This toilet or head, (the marine term for toilet) was designed by two long time sailors who sought to create a more user friendly version than anything else on the market. While we designed our product to withstand the harsh marine environment, it can be used anywhere you need a toilet, especially anywhere that plumbing or electricity is difficult or non-existent -- on RVs or campers, in vacation cabins, workshops, barns, yurts, even trucks. Most importantly, this toilet doesn't have the foul odors associated with all other holding tank systems. The low volume air circulation fan built into the head provides the added benefit of recycling the air in your bathroom which helps make your whole environment smell better. Because it was originally designed for marine use, its rugged design and materials (all stainless hardware) it has been proven to be extremely durable no matter what your environment.

  • No one - and I mean no one - will beat my customer service and individual support
  • Easy to install by any reasonably handy person.
  • Absolutely No Odor. No Maintenance. 5 Year Warranty.
  • Huge Capacity. 2 people using full time will empty every 4-6 weeks. Easy empty in 5 minutes.
  • A vast improvement over older composting toilet designs. This one works!

User questions & answers

Question: does this toilet come wit a manufactures warantee
Answer: I have always got the Kirkland bath tissue been buying it for six years.I really like the bath tissue
Question: Does the fan need to be on 24/7? And since the top flips backwards I assume you can't put this up against a wall too closely
Answer: Yes. the Kirkland tissue width is 4" wide by 3.5 " long. Most tissue paper holders are 5" wide, I believe. Keep in mind the width of most tissue papers have shrunk to less than 4 inches wide. they used to be 4" x 4".
Question: What sort of maintenance is required on this thing? How many lbs of waste would it hold sanitarily, and what are the procedures for keeping it clean
Answer: el precio es muy alto creo que aprovecharon el momento y no esta bien .
Question: I need a toilet for a cabin for 2 to 3 people for 4 month's a year will this do the job
Answer: I have a septic tank and use RID X every month but I burn my toilet paper. I do not put it in the septic tank. This is the best tissue I have ever used.

Large Composting Tumbler 43 Gallon Capacity Composter , Dual Chamber Compost Bin Outdoor Rotating Garden Yard Waste Bins

Nova Microdermabrasion

Based on 57 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Nova Microdermabrasion Tumbling Composter with Two Chambers

This compost bin helps turn kitchen scraps, garden chippings, leaves and weeds into green organic fertilizer for your gardening, it has been a great addition to having a healthy garden growth without chemicals. 2 separate chambers so you can have 2 batches of compost going at different times. Rotates for easy tossing of compost. Durable and sturdy for years of use. Let’s begin your green organic life!



Features:

- Solid frame and durable PP body, anti-UV and weather resistant,will last for long-term of use.

- Roller system is effective for easy tossing of compost.

- Features 2 chambers, one is for the converted stuff, the other side is for the stuff that is breaking down.

- Aerobic fermentation, continuous composting, safe and environmentally friendly.

- The internal groove design makes the waste be grinded after rotation without agglomerating, which is conducive to oxygen fermentation.

- The composter are hold off the ground so that there is no possibility of wildlife or other pests gaining access to the waste in the can.

- Comes with a Pair of Gloves to protect your hands and keep clean.



Specification:

Color:Black

Material:PP + Steel

Overall Dimension: 28.35"L x 24.80"W x 36.81"H / 72 x 63 x 93.5cm

Capacity: 43 Gallon

Each Door Size:8.86"L * 5.31" W / 22.5*13.5cm



Package Included:

1 x Outdoor Composting Tumblers

1 X Pair of Gloves

1 X Screwdriver

1 X Instruction

  • 🍃【Dual Chamber】 This tumbling composter features two separate sides, which allow the first side to finish while leaving another side continue to add fresh scraps/clippings, creates an uninterrupted flow of rich, healthy compost. 43 Gallon capacity, 2 chambers hold quite a bit.
  • 🍃【Excellent Aeration System】Designed with aeration holes and deep fins, allows needed airflow and mixes a lot of oxygen into the compost, break up clumps inside quickly. Dark color help promote the composting process too.
  • 🍃【Rotatable Composter】The tumbling design makes mixing efficient. When full, rotating is easy and the frame stays solid. The large openings and removable door make it easy to add scraps/waste and remove finished compost. Comes with a Pair of Gloves to protect your hands and keep clean.
  • 🍃【Durable Construction】The main body of this composting tumbler is made of durable PP, which is weather resistant and won’t degrade under sunlight. The strong metal frame with high-grade coating is corrosion resistant.
  • 🍃【Easy to Use】 Great for beginners, very easy to use, just close the door, turn it 5-6 times every 2-3 days. In hot summer condition , the compost can finish in as little as 2 weeks! ★★Assemble Required.

User questions & answers

Question: Does the bin lift off the base to be emptied when the compost is done
Answer: Yes, it comes with disposable filters to get you started and recommends replacing those with more disposable or a permanent filter. The filter size is 4-cups.
Question: How well does this composter drain
Answer: Yes Martin you can use any milk. It says froth volume will vary with the type of milk used. For soy, almond, non-fat milk use less milk to avoid pitcher overflow. I have only used skim so far and I don't fill it all the way to max. I fill it in between the one and two cup line.

EJWOX Garden Compost Bin from BPA Free Material, Dual Rotating Outdoor Composting Tumblers (43 Gallon,Black)

EJWOX

Based on 1 reviews Check latest price
  • DUAL CHAMBER COMPOST BIN - Dual chamber composter allow for continuous composting. Fill up one while the other nears the end of the compost process, the rich black stuff ready to use. Once empty, that becomes the one to fill up while the other completes the cycle.
  • AERATION SYSTEM- Aerated internal bar mixes compost & allows needed airflow.Black, double-wall panels absorb and retain heat.Perfectly suited for your garden and for people not wanting to mix the organic waste in their traditional compost bin.
  • INGENIOUS TUMBLER DESIGN - Turns on axis for easy and balanced rotation.Easy slide doors will help keep track of each batch,the length of 1 door is 10.23” and the width is 6.1
  • CONVENIENT LOADING HEIGHT - Enough height to put a cart under the composter.Easy to turn barrel, waste mixed easily, fast batch composting.
  • STURDY POWDER-COATED STEEL FRAME - Powder-coated steel frame provides a sturdy base for the large bin.Galvanized steel feet prevent rusting and deterioration.

User questions & answers

Question: How long before the compost become usable in the garden
Answer: We notice no smell. The bin sits on our patio. We also haven't noticed much (or any) decomposition and it has been about four to five weeks.
Question: Is the plastic BPA free
Answer: I'm not sure what you mean by BOA? Do you mean BPA?
Question: How many cubic yards does each dude hold
Answer: Hi I’m in hot, humid Houston, and we didn’t notice any strong odor, as it’s got To be a mix with grass clipping and whatnot. Of course, it wasn’t right next to our door, but all the same, it was not bad at all. I’d like to add that I highly recommended this product!
Question: Can this composter be assembled without the devider to use it as a single chamber tumbler
Answer: I don't have a lever on mine, but it is very easy to turn, even when full.

Product features

COMPOSTING - REDUCE,REUSE,RECYCLE!
Fast and Efficient Composting All year Around!
360 Degree Rotation Design

Turn it every few days and can fast the composting.

Health and Environmental Protection

Made by High Quality BPA Free Plastic

Weatherproof

Sturdy powder-coated steel frame for long-lasting using

Outstanding Aeration System

Aerated internal bar mixes compost & allows needed airflow.

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