How to Make Your Own Compost Tumbler Using a Plastic Barrel
- 1). Drill holes in your plastic barrel or trash can using a 1/4-inch drill bit. Space the holes approximately 16 inches apart, covering the entire outside of the barrel. The holes allow air to enter the barrel, which aids the composting process.
- 2). Mount four casters to a 4 foot by 8 foot sheet of plywood. The casters need to be mounted face up, and spaced so that the barrel can sit on them and be supported horizontally. This step should be followed only if you are using a food-grade plastic barrel. Skip this if you are using a plastic trash can.
- 3). Fill your barrel with organic household or yard waste material. Alternating between brown and green material. Brown material is anything dry, and green is herbaceous material. Once the barrel is halfway to three-quarters full, spray water on the top of the mixture, and fasten the bungee cord to the lid on the can (or screw it down).
- 4). Rotate the drum on the caster base one or two turns every two days. Do not overturn your compost tumbler, or the compost will get too dry. Alternatively, if you are using a trash can, roll the can on the ground a few times, before standing it back up. This churning process ensures that the compost will decompose evenly.
- 5). Open the lid after at least 14 days and check to see if your compost has successfully decomposed. If the compost is not quite ready (some items are still in their original state) then leave the drum to compost another seven days before checking.