Compost Bin Plans

I had to make a compost bin to fit in the back of the schoolyard. After looking at many DIY plans online, I designed my own for a sturdy easy to build 4x4 compost bin.

7 1x6x16 lumber

3 2x2x16 lumber

1 1x3x16 lumber

2 4” T-hinges

121 1½” deck screws

48 2½” deck screws

4 ¾” deck screws

6’ ⅛” chain (cut in half)

Cut three 1x6s to 48” long (12 1x6x48)

Cut three 1x6s to 44” +52” +44” +52” (six 1x6x44, six 1x6x52)

Cut two 1x6s to 52” +52” +52” +26” (six 1x6x52)

Cut one 1x6 to 52” +52” +88” (two 1x6x52)

Cut one 1x4 to 52” +140” (one 1x4x52)

Cut two 2x2s to 42” +42” +37” +37” +23” +1” (four 2x2x42, four 2x2x37, two 2x2x23)

Cut one 2x2 to 38” +154” (one 2x2x38)

Fix back posts by planting two pointed 42” long 2x2s 5” deep in the ground to 37” in height, 46” apart. Fix front posts the same way, 46” from the back posts.

Make the back side by screwing 52” long 1x6s with 1½” deck screws to the 2x2 back posts, flush with the outer edges and level with the top and bottom of the posts. Leave a ½” gap between the boards.

Make the sides by screwing 48” long 1x6s with 1½” deck screws on the inside of the 2x2 front and back posts, again flush with the outer edges and level with the top and bottom of the posts, with a ½” gap between the boards.

For the front side, screw a 37” long 2x2 with 2½” deck screws to the edge of the 48” long 1x6s boards on both sides, parallel to the front posts. Screw one more 37″ long 2x2 onto each side behind the first ones, leaving a 1¼” gap between the two so that the front 44” long 1×6 boards can slide in and out easily.

Make the top by screwing the 52” long 1x4 board to the top back and side boards, centered with the middle of the bin, with 1½” deck screws. In the same manner, screw four 52 long 1x6s to the tops of side boards.

To make the lid, align the remaining four 52” long 1x6s on top of two perpendicular 23” long 2x2s, placed 38” apart, 7” from the end of the boards. Screw together with 1½” deck screws through the top of the 1x6. Screw the 38” long 2x2 between the two 23” long 2x2s, flush with the front of the lid, with 2½" deck screws

Make evenly spaced notches in the side of the last 1x6 screwed to the top, to fit the hinges. Screw the hinges in place with 1½” deck screws. Screw the other end of the hinges to the lid with ¾” deck screws.

Attach the lid to the bin with 3’ long chains and 1½” deck screwed to either side of the bin and the lid. Make sure the chains do not stop the lid from closing properly.