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


  • or

  • 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.


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