Converting a Wheelie Bin to Compost Bin

I have a wheelie bin that's sat in a corner, not earning it's keep. Originally it was bought from the Council for garden waste, but I don't subscribe (£55 per year for Fenland), I know it's not much but I don't have all that big a garden to warrant it. Anyway I digress....

Have looked on line and it seems pretty easy to change the wheelie into a compost bin. I do have a dalek type compost bin, but it's pretty full and I need another one while the 'compost' is breaking down. It just makes a lot of economical and environmental sense to convert the wheelie.

Have been researching online, and have come up with a plan;

1. Cut a flap a couple of inches from the bottom, using a couple of hinges and a bolt at the bottom to secure the flap.
2. Fill the bottom couple of inches of the bin with gravel, up to the flap to act as a sump.
3. Add a tap as low as possible to the bottom of the bin to drain off liquid in the 'sump'.

and just like that I have a 2nd compost bin.

Would love to have a traditional one, but I just don't have the room.

Wondering if anyone else has converted their wheelie for a compost bin?

Do I need to add air-holes? The dalek doesn't have any air-holes, and the lid is tight, but it does have an open base and (pretty useless) door (flap) at the bottom.

Thanks for any help and suggestions.

Edited to say; I do have a wormery that's going a bit mad atm so I think it'll be a good idea to introduce a few dozen little red wrigglers.

 

A friend of mine converted his green wheelie bin last year.
It will need holes in the bottom for drainage - and that's all he done with it.
He used a 1" Flat Wood Bit and made holes in bottom - use an ordinary wood drill to make a pilot hole first.

I see him most days when out with my dog, so if I see him this afternoon I'll ask how it's coming on and report back later.

 

I tried it a few years ago I was going to try and get liquid feed from it.

I did a bit of a half hearted bodge job really, but I might resurrect the idea after reading this, thanks.

I eventually had to move mine into shade under the trees because it was getting too hot, its still there

 

I don’t see why it shouldn’t work. Not sure I’d bother with a door flap, as you say they are useless on the Daleks. If it was me I’d just tip it over when I wanted to empty it. We just lift the our daleks covers off, take the good stuff out and then put the still-composting stuff back, it’s an effort but it turns and aerates it. (I say we OH always does it)

I would put some air holes around the base and I’d only bother with the gravel and tap if you particularly want to collect the liquid.

 

Can I have some of your heat for my compost bins @pete ? Just for them , nowhere else!

If you want it as a more traditional, standard compost bin, just take off the wheels, and cut off the bottom and an area out for access. The bigger the better. The hinges idea would certainly make it easier for access if you can do it.
They're quite big, so it'll depend on how much material you have to put in, and how quickly your material breaks down too. I cut my compost bins down, but I now have three so that I can have a better system, as mine takes a long while to become viable enough.

 

Thank you, that's a good point, I don't want to distress the worms.

 

I do the same as @Butterfly6 , and lift the bin off, and mix it , or move it, depending on the condition it's in, and what I'm using it for. I use a tarpaulin on the ground to tip it all onto, but a wheelbarrow would also work.

 

The amount of material obviously depends on the time of year, from now on till the summer it's mainly grass clippings, but thinking about it, fresh grass clippings are not good for worms, it could get too hot for them.

Need a rethink.

 

We compost our grass clippings but we mix in lots of browns (mostly shredded paper) as well and it works very well, plenty of worms

 

I like your signature @Jenny_Aster, I think you’ve finally solved the mystery of my mismatched Tupperware

 

Bought x2 of these (on the dreaded Amazon here) earlier in the month 4-5 5mm holes in lid and bottom. I know they work as the daughter has had one for the last few years.

 

Thanks @DiggerJo, I like those bins, though I'm trying to make use of the wheelie.

For anyone interested some councils subsidise compost bins, you can check to see if your council is part of the scheme here's the link. If you're looking for compost bins, you could find a saving.

 

My 'third' bin is a similar thing @DiggersJo. Tenner out of Asda!
It has a large hole in the base - I just put a layer of cardboard in the bottom to prevent everything falling through. It's the 'daily' bin, and is nearer the back door. Once it's full, or thereabouts, it gets taken round to where the bigger two are sited, and put in theone with most space, and the newest material.

 

I did see my mate who converted his green bin last year.
He decided against using it due to a lack of somewhere practical to keep it.

 

Thanks @Pete8. They do take up a lot of room.