So you want to start composting? Start with a compost pail- a convenient place to collect those kitchen scraps until they are dumped in the compost pile. Compost pails range from repurposed containers to fancy crocks that cost a pretty penny. What do you need?
A good friend repurposed a clear, plastic container to collect her compostable scraps. It’s a BPA-emitting, “bad plastic” container that she wouldn’t use elsewhere in her home. While cheap, this option has a few drawbacks - odors escape, it’s not big enough to handle a large batch of scraps, and it’s clear… so you see everything. Yuck. Still, it’s very cool that she found a way to put the unwanted container to good use. If you have the right container, this is a great idea. I’ve always been disgusted by compost pails, so I figured I’d be more likely to succeed (umm… to use it) if I bought something designed for the task.
When buying a new pail there are lots of options available. Most are made of stainless steel, ceramic, or bamboo. They’re designed to sit on your countertop and look pretty, or at least not detract from your kitchen decor. This is the direction I was going in, but the prices were a real turn-off. $35-40 for a scrap bucket? Then I read reviews warning against ceramic pails which are heavy to carry and likely to break if dropped. Stainless pails would show hand prints and bamboo pails are beautiful, but would they be a breeding ground for germs? Maybe not, but still pricey.
What a relief when I discovered this simple plastic bucket designed and sold by Gaiam, an eco-friendly online store. For just $18 this green pail has odor control, a convenient carry handle and good reviews. Obviously, it’s not pretty enough for the counter… but it’s actually designed to be placed under the sink on the cabinet door. Two little notches on the back of the container hook securely on nails included with the pail. At half the price with more room for scraps, I was sold.
We’ve owned and used Gaiam’s compost bucket for about 6 months now. It’s great! We never run out of room in the scrap bucket. Hanging under the sink on the cabinet door, it’s always conveniently located for cleanup. But, when I’m doing a big task, I simply lift it off of the nails and place it on the counter. This fall, I processed 4 apple pies worth of apples. All the peels and cores fit right into my pail with room to spare! At first I was emptying the bucket once a week, since we never really fill it up. Well, we did have odor problems at that point, even with the carbon filter in place. Plus, things kinda grow in there if you leave it sitting too long… Since I started emptying the compost bucket twice a week, it’s been smooth sailing. I love that it’s light and resilient enough that my kids can bring the emptied and cleaned bucket back into the house. Someday, I’ll have them emptying it too, hehe.
After months of composting, our compost pile is starting to look respectable and my husband is finally remembering to put scraps in the bucket! Now, if I only I could train him to put eggshells in as well.
Composting 
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