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May
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How to build a $15 shipping pallet compost bin

Published by Hanna | Filed Under: How To
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This is what my current compost pile looks like. It’s an overgrown mess. It started out 5 years ago as a little tiny pile but because there wasn’t much in the way of a boundary around it, the pile just grew until it was an unwieldy mess. I can’t even really get at the compost at the bottom of the pile because of the size and spread of the pile. Not to mention that the compost pile attracts critters because the food we add to it is out in the open.

It is time for a change. I need a good size bin to keep my compost in. The compost bin needs to be able to dissuade animals from getting at the food in the compost. The compost bin also has to have ventilation so the compost can get the air and water it needs to break down. And last, and most importantly, it needs to be cheap. That way I can spend more money on plants and flowers in the yard.

The solution is a shipping pallet compost bin. And that is what I am going to build today.

What you will need for this project is 4 shipping pallets that are roughly the same size, 4 L brackets, 2 strap hinges, a latch and the screws to attach the hardware. You can get the shipping pallets for free from almost any warehouse that ships and receives product. They will be happy to give you some as most places throw the pallets out after they are done with them. The rest of the hardware will cost between $10 – $15.

Check the slats on the pallets and hammer in any loose ones. Decide now which pallets will be the sides, back and front gate. My pallets were all the same size, but one had a plywood solid top, I decided to make that pallet the back of my bin. You will want to consider these sort of things when deciding which pallets will go where.

Match up the back and one side of the bin. Decide the best place to put the top and bottom L bracket so that the two pallets will be securely attached. Try to choose a spot that goes into the frame of both pallets, rather than the slats. Mark the rough location that the L brackets will go.

Lay the pallets back down. Attach the L brackets to the side pallet first. The L bracket will attach to the inside side of the side pallet. Attach both the top and bottom L bracket to the side pallet.

Stand the pallets back up. The L brackets will go on the back on the back pallet (see picture).

Attach the L brackets to the back pallet.


Repeat the last 3 steps on the other side with the other side pallet.


The front gate will need to be raised up a few inches so that it swings open easily. Place some bricks at the front to keep front gate off the ground while you attach it.


Attach the strap hinges to the side of the compost bin, one at the top and one at the bottom. Try to put in as many screws as you can into the pallet’s frame.


Set the front pallet on the bricks and attach the strap pallet to the front pallet.


Once the strap hinges are attached, attach the latch on the other side. I put mine way up high because I have kids and this looks like a really fun place to play jail. But I want to keep the kids out of the compost bin, so the latch it up out of their reach. You can set yours where ever you feel comfortable.

And this is the finished product. We broke out one of the slats on the front so that we have a nice opening to dump in our food and yard scraps without having to open and close the gate.

Now you can move it to the location of your choice. If you want to hide your compost bin, you can plant some climbing vines on the outside. They will grow up nicely over the pallet slats and camouflage the compost bin. And, as an added bonus, you are being environmentally friendly as you are saving these pallets from the trash.

Happy composting!


Published by Hanna on May 8th, 2006
Filed Under How To | Permalink
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35 Responses to “How to build a $15 shipping pallet compost bin”

  1. I can’t wait to build the compost bin this weekend. Thanks for the great artice and the wonderful pictures.

    [Reply]

  2. That’s a fantastic idea. I wonder if using old bets or leather from old boots would work for the hinges. They wouldn’t be as sturdy but once latched it should hold fine.

    I’ll build one next week when it’s warmer. Got lots of pallets already.

    birdoasis.com

    [Reply]

  3. Thanks for the idea. I was taken to your site via the “What kind of flower are you?” (I am a Daffodil! Yay!)and found this post. We have just been talking about composting more, and this may just be an answer. Any suggestions for composting in Wyoming? We live in the high desert here. Thanks!

    [Reply]

  4. [...] Get control of your compost heap with this excellent compost bin using pallets and a few inexpensive pieces of [...]

  5. I’ve wanted to make a compost bin for sometime, and these instructions/pictures are incredibly helpful. Thank you.

    [Reply]

  6. [...] Get control of your compost heap with this excellent compost bin using pallets and a few inexpensive pieces of [...]

  7. Biologist K Says:

    Do you just leave th top and botom open? how do you get the compost out? I wonder if making the door in two parts that swong open independently of each other would work as well.
    Thanks for the great “how to” description and photos!

    [Reply]

  8. [...] made from wooden pallets Building a Wood Shed from recycled wooden pallets Composting bin How to build a $15 shipping pallet compost bin __________________ Damifino, over. #020538 ‘Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the [...]

  9. [...] made from wooden pallets Building a Wood Shed from recycled wooden pallets Composting bin How to build a $15 shipping pallet compost bin __________________ ‘Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving [...]

  10. $15 too much Says:

    There is no need to spend any money for a pallet bin. You don’t need any hardware and you certainly don’t need hinges. Just wire the corners together with any old scrap wire or coat hanger. If you need to open the bin up with a hinge, just unwire one corner and open it up. The wires will serve as hinges.

    [Reply]

  11. [...] compost bin out of old shipping pallets. I found a good site with photos and directions for this here, and a plan for building the 3 bin type here, if anybody is [...]

  12. [...] How to build a $15 shipping pallet compost bin [...]

  13. [...] This Garden Is Illegal (with a tip of the hat to Planetsave.com): What you will need for this project is 4 shipping [...]

  14. I have a friend who has 6 pallets laying around and wanted me to get rid of them for her! Now they have a home! Thanks!

    [Reply]

  15. [...] first project is from This Garden Is Illegal (love the name!) with their tip on How To Build A $15 Shipping Pallet Compost Bin: I need a good size bin to keep my compost in. The compost bin needs to be able to dissuade animals [...]

  16. This awesome! I have been wanting a bin for sometime but didn’t want to spend a bunch of money on one. Thanks

    [Reply]

  17. [...] compost bin’s purposes. Check out the full article below for a step by step picture tutorial. How-To Build a $15 Shipping Pallet Compost Bin [via [...]

  18. [...] compost bin’s purposes. Check out the full article below for a step by step picture tutorial. How-To Build a Shipping Pallet Compost Bin [via [...]

  19. [...] compost bin’s purposes. Check out the full article below for a step by step picture tutorial. How-To Build a $15 Shipping Pallet Compost Bin [via [...]

  20. I’m doing it. Thanks.

    [Reply]

  21. [...] compost bin’s purposes. Check out the full article below for a step by step picture tutorial. How-To Build a $15 Shipping Pallet Compost Bin [via [...]

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  25. [...] compost bin’s purposes. Check out the full article below for a step-by-step picture tutorial. How-To Build a $15 Shipping Pallet Compost Bin [via [...]

  26. [...] compost bin’s purposes. Check out the full article below for a step-by-step picture tutorial. How-To Build a $15 Shipping Pallet Compost Bin [via [...]

  27. [...] compost bin’s purposes. Check out the full article below for a step-by-step picture tutorial. How-To Build a $15 Shipping Pallet Compost Bin [via [...]

  28. I don’t want to poop in your pancakes, but…

    Alot of old pallets have been treated with copper chromate arsenic, which, when wetted can release the arsenic into your compost.

    a cool idea, but you might want to reconsider the use of CCA or other treated wood for compost. or at least be aware of this fact when choosing your lumber.

    [Reply]

  29. I like your idea of using hinges and a latch with a raised pallet as the door. Adding a 2×4 as a brace along the top would strengthen the doorway when the door is open.

    Also, if you have a lot of small items for compost, such as grass clippings, the wide slats in the pallets will allow this to fall out. Have you considered stapling some type of mesh or metal hardware cloth to the inside to keep everything in?

    [Reply]

  30. Regarding Cu-As; the national pallet standards association states that the only acceptable wood treatments are either 1) Methyl-Bromide or 2) Heat Treatment, and that the pallets should be marked accordingly with either MB or HT. See page 32 of http://www.nwpca.com/IndustryStandardsSpecifications/UniformStandardforWoodPallets2007.pdf for more details.

    [Reply]

  31. I am going to try this. One thing to think about; I’ve found that if you put your compost near a tree, the roots will grow right up into the compost! I think I’m going to put a piece of plywood or something under the bin to stop this. Thanks Hanna!

    [Reply]

  32. Love this article/post. If anyone is interested in building a worm bin or learning about worm composting check out this article I put together.

    [Reply]

  33. My question is in an area that rains like wa state what is the best type cover to use.

    [Reply]

  34. [...] did some googling and found these instructions. I picked an out-of-the-way spot in my yard to build the bin (because, honestly, it’s a [...]

  35. My husband and I built a bin this weekend — turned out GREAT! We made a few little changes that made it work for us. Thanks for the great post! Here is a post on our shipping pallet compost bin: http://www.eatniks.com/2010/06/shipping-pallet-compost-bin/

    [Reply]

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