Kitchen compost buckets make it more convenient to begin and stick with a composting program. When you keep a handy bucket in your kitchen, you don’t have to run out to the compost pile as often so you are more likely to save scraps instead of throwing them out. Kitchen compost buckets come in a wide range of sizes and are made from different types of materials so you can find one that suits you best.
You’ll want to consider how often you will empty your bucket and select a size accordingly. If your compost pile is in your backyard, this might not be as big a factor as it will be if you have a garden and compost area in another location such as a rented community lot. If size doesn’t matter, you can use just about anything to store your scraps in as long as it has a snug lid. The lid is important to prevent foul odors from permeating your kitchen and to ward against insects and vermin.
You’ll find kitchen compost buckets specially designed for storing food scraps at many gardening or recycling centers. These might be constructed from plastic or stainless steel and come complete with lids and handles. Handles are pretty important because if you collect scraps for several days your bucket will get heavy and you want to be able to lug it to your compost pile with ease.
An optional feature in some kitchen compost buckets is a carbon filter. These are usually set into the lids as added protection against odors escaping. They’re nice, but not a necessity. Choosing between buckets made of plastic and those made from stainless steel is a matter of taste and décor. Steel, of course, is more durable and will last longer. A steel bucket is also more attractive in your kitchen. Most people store their compost buckets under the sink though so its appearance may not be that important since it will be out of sight most of the time.
Another option if you want a stylish compost bucket is to choose one made from ceramic. These come in a variety of designs. You could choose a plain white one for example, or a white one with blue bands, or butterflies painted on it. Remember, while looks may be important to you, kitchen compost buckets need to be functional too. Choosing one with a wide mouth will make it much easier to scoop out the contents when it is time to empty the scraps.
Most kitchen compost buckets are around one gallon in size but they can be a little smaller or larger up to 2.5 gallons. If you have a large family, you will accumulate food waste much quicker, so larger might be better. On the other hand, if you live alone, you may still prefer a larger size so you can collect scraps for a week at a time. In the winter when it is cold and snowy outside, you will appreciate not making so many trips to the compost pile.
Cleaning your bucket each time you empty it can be a chore. If that is one job you dread, you may want to use biodegradable bucket liners so you can just pull them out along with your food scraps and toss the whole thing onto your compost pile. The liners will break down along with the scraps and can make it much easier to keep your bucket clean. It is a good idea to clean and rinse your bucket after you empty it to help control odor.
You can toss most of your produce scraps into your kitchen compost bin. This includes coffee grounds and egg shells. It is generally not advised to put meat scraps into your compost pile and you certainly don’t want to toss anything into the bucket that would be toxic since the scraps will eventually be placed in your garden. Your compost bucket shouldn’t be thought of as a trash can but as a container for food for your garden.
Buying a kitchen compost bucket might be somewhat difficult to do locally if you don’t want to spend time shopping around. However, they are easy to find online where you can also buy accessories for them such as liner bags and replacement filters. These buckets vary in price according to the type you buy. Simple plastic buckets can be purchased for well under $20. Fancier steel or ceramic compost buckets may cost as much as $60 or more. If you buy online don’t forget to factor in shipping as heavier ceramic models can be quite heavy.
Once you buy your kitchen compost pail, you’ll want to keep it easily accessible so you will use it with each meal. You can toss trimmings into it as you prepare your meal and scrape your left over scraps in when the meal is over. Because odor may escape each time you open the lid, you may want to save your food scraps in a separate bowl as you prepare your meal and clean up afterwards so you open the bucket only once.
When your bucket is close to being full, or more often if you like, take your scraps to your outside bin or pile and add them to your existing compost. By doing this, you will help reduce waste in your local landfill and at the same time make rich fertile soil for your garden. Spending money on a kitchen compost bucket is a small price to pay for something that makes such a big impact on our planet. Composting is the natural way to recycle and yields a big benefit to your garden for just a little effort.
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