RRFB Wooden-Pallet Holding Unit

Wooden-Pallet Holding Unit

A holding unit can be built inexpensively using wooden pallets or lumber may be used to make a nicer looking bin. The costs will vary, depending on whether new lumber or pallets are used. Used pallets are often available from manufacturers and landfills.

Building a holding Unit Wooden Pallets

1. Nail or wire four pallets together to make a four sided bin at least 3 feet x 3 feet x 3 feet. The bin is ready to use.

2. A fifth pallet can be used as a base to allow more air to get into the pile and increase the stability of the bin.

Building A Holding Unit Using Lumber

1. Saw the 8-foot lengths of 2 x 4 lumber into four pieces, each 4 feet long, to be used as corner posts.

Materials

four wooden pallets (five pallets if you want a bottom in the container), sized to make a four-sided container at least 3 feet x 3 feet x 3 feet.

nails

baling wire

two eight-foot lengths of 2 x 4 lumber

galvanized 8d nails (1 pound)

Tools

saw

sledge hammer

claw hammer

work gloves

2. Choose a 3-foot-square site for your compost bin. Use the sledge hammer to pound the four posts into the ground 3 feet apart, at the corners of the square.

3. Saw each of the 12-foot boards into four 3-foot pieces. Allowing five boards to a side and, starting at the bottom, nail the boards to the posts to make a four sided container. Leave 2 inches between the boards to allow air to get into the pile.

4. If you wish to decrease your composting time, build a second holding unit so that the wastes in one can mature while you add wastes to the other.