Topic: Can I convert it into a compost bin?

[EmmaLou]

I have an old plastic bin (we've all been given wheelie bins now) and I was wondering if it could be converted into a compost bin? At the moment it is behind my shed at home, but I'm sure it could be put to use on my lottie.

Also pondered other uses:

Water butt?
Grow spuds in it?

What do other people use their old bins for?

[myrtle]

I've been using an old red dustbin for about 20 years as a compost bin. It works really well!  Turn it upside down, cut out the bottom ( I use this bit on top of the stuff in the bin) place it over a patch of soil (upside down) and use the lid on top.

[redimp]

If you want to use it as a compost bin you will need to chop the bottom off it.  For potatoes, you will need to put some drainage holes in the bottom.  I personally think I would go the potato route as it is probably a bit small as a compost bin or water butt.

[EmmaLou]

Great advice!

Maybe I will stick to making a composter from old pallets? Not really sure how many compost bins I would need for my half plot?

[EmmaLou]

Would it be worth buying the cheap ones through my local council?

[EmmaLou]

Cost £9 through our Council! Blooming cheek!

[AikenDrum]

Cost me £14.97 for a 330 litre "Dalek" ... have I just been conned ? ? ?    {:¬ (

[redimp]

I got three for a fiver each through Blackwall.  Might try the same thing as you Wardy, or get my mate to order some.

[EmmaLou]

I have 11 bins now including one pallet one

You really are the compost bin expert! I can't believe how many you have! :o

Whilst on the subject - is it ok to put the seed heads of weeds in the compost?

[AikenDrum]

Just been walking home from the pub  ...ermm ... was there for a  .... erm  ...survey of the quality of the beer mats they used these days  *hic* and spotted MOUNTAINS of leaves lying around all the streets, so, gonna make the locals think I am weirder than they already think I am and go around with a leaf rake and loadza bin-liners and collect them up  ... waits for the knock on the door from the people in white coats   .....

[powerspade]

I use old wheelie bins to make compost with a hole cut out in the bottom they work very well

[AikenDrum]

Now, if I was to combine all my binliners full of leaves with an old wheelie bin (have they become "old" yet ?) I could well have a working system  .... starts writing a thesis  ........  *scribble, scribble, scribble*

[redimp]

I am City of Lincoln - I will check out to see whether your price is the County Council price and will check to see whether the City Council is still running their scheme.

[redimp]

Wardy - mine were the 220 ones - was not offered the 330 ones but might try for them next time.

East Lindsey's record on anything environmental is pretty poor.  Their recycling facilities are not very good and I have seen no evidence of any doorstep based recycling - my school is in East Lindsey near Horncastle.

For anybody in Lincoln here is the page - http://www.lincoln.gov.uk/news_det.asp?id=6055&sec_id=468

For East Lindsey the link is:
http://www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/environment/waste-management/recycling/compost-faq.cfm

[Aussie Chick]

Ours use to be £16 but recently they had a scheme for £3 each, max 2. Its great now, one for leaves!

[redimp]

So do I  :)

[weedgrower]

well i'm sorry to say guys that i got 3 compost bins for free of chorley borough council. all i had to do was take a leaflet down to a big car park where they had two big arctics full of compost bins, fill out a form and they gave me 3 bins. they wanted to sell be the bottoms of the bins, called them converters, for £6 each but you didnt have too

[EmmaLou]

Our Council also do a 2 weekly collection of green waste (alternating with nonrecyclable waste). I have to say I'd rather have a compost bin in my garden. Quite often we go weeks without needing the green bin emptied. Also a lot of people have to keep the bins at the front of their houses as they don't have easy access to their back gardens - I think this looks so awful! I keep mine in the back garden, but have to drag them round the back of 4 houses and then round the front of them as well, just to put them out! >:( Councils should consult with us before making these decisions.

Hey ho!

[ipt8]

Think yourselves lucky you do not live in Surrey. The cost for a compost bin from the council is £15, but they are well made and delivered free.
I think every house should have at least one.

[Lottie3]

Just been walking home from the pub  ...ermm ... was there for a  .... erm  ...survey of the quality of the beer mats they used these days  *hic* and spotted MOUNTAINS of leaves lying around all the streets, so, gonna make the locals think I am weirder than they already think I am and go around with a leaf rake and loadza bin-liners and collect them up  ... waits for the knock on the door from the people in white coats   .....

Hee hee I waited until everyone had cleared their leaves up - the council here have a garden waste collection every couple of weeks and then went and knocked on a couple of doors and had me a whole load of bags full of leaves  ;D filled my newly built leaf thingy in one hit.