Where do you deposit your kitchen waste before putting it in the compost?

[Hannah]

I'm looking for a more elegant solution to the old ice cream container currently collecting composting waste on our kitchen counter.

[MomsintheGarden]

We have two of these:

 

http://www.stokeseeds.com/product.aspx?ProductID=48563&CategoryID=747

 

They aren't elegant (sorry!) but they hold a lot, which is important for our family. They fit in our Asko dishwasher - good because compost can get smelly sometimes. They are also lightweight, which is good because my children take out the compost.

 

We also have two trugs:

http://www.stokeseeds.com/product.aspx?ProductID=48385&search=trug

 

I love the looks of all the pretty accessories, like harvesting baskets and ceramic compost pails, but they aren't practical for our family.

 

I've also seen stainless steel compost buckets at Gardener's Supply:

http://www.gardeners.com/Compost-Crocks/20707,default,sc.html

These wouldn't break when the children take out the compost, and they are dishwasher-safe. I'd get one of these if I wasn't so happy with the cheapo plastic ones. No way would I get the bamboo crock. Stuff drips on the outside sometimes, and that would be hard to clean.

 

Have fun shopping!

GardenMom

[chickenpatty]

LOL, how about an ice cream bucket collecting composting waster under the kitchen sink! I've always wondered if there were prettier solutions. It looks like there are, so I'm glad you asked this question!

[Hannah]

I've also seen stainless steel compost buckets at Gardener's Supply:

http://www.gardeners.com/Compost-Crocks/20707,default,sc.html

 

 

Have fun shopping!

GardenMom

 

Thanks for the links GardenMom! The Gardener's Supply stoneware compost crock reminded me of an unused pottery casserole dish that I had in the cupboard. It holds the icecream container, looks good on the counter and might just do the trick! Thanks for triggering the idea.

[Heather in the Kootenays]

I use a stainless steel pail with a lid (Lee Valley). It's better looking than an ice cream bucket (which was my previous collector), doesn't hold the smell the way plastic does, and is easy to clean.

[myfunnybunch]

We have a stainless steel compost bucket sitting next to the sink. It's sitting in a pretty white dish with a bit of water to keep the sugar ants out. (We live in the PNW and the ants are a huge problem in even the cleanest of homes. Bleah.)

 

A ceramic crock was prettier, but too heavy for the boys to take out.

 

The stainless looks nice, and it has a filter in the lid to keep down the smell.

 

Cat

[justamouse]

In a big stainless bowl on top of my toaster. *g* Stylish, eh? It gets dumped every day, so no smell.

[LibraryLover]

I found one of those pretty ceramic containers from Gaia at a second hand store a bit back that I enjoyed. Then we broke it. Now we're back to using a large bowl. I empty it a couple of times a day. We have chickens, so not everything is composted.

[Carol in Cal.]

It is ceramic, and shaped like a nice canister, and it has a filter in the lid to keep smells down. It does not prevent fruit flies from incubating, but they are completely contained. I used to use bowls and bags, and finally just realized that it was worth it to have something a little nicer.

[Tap]

A small stainless bucket that can be on the counter while I cook, but that goes under the sink when not in use. An important feature to me...is that it fits in my dishwasher. I like the smaller size because it can't gather too much which helps to make sure it gets emptied often. If I need a larger container (ie when I am making big batches of sauce to freeze), then I use a bowl and take it out ASAP.

Edited April 10, 2010 by Tap, tap, tap

[OhM]

I collect in a mixing bowl as I cook, and empty each time. I like the idea of the ice cream bucket under the sink, though.

[Tap]

An idea for anyone who prefers to not buy something specifically for a container. My mother used to use a plastic gallon milk jug with a hole cut in the top side across from the handle. The handle made it easy for the kids to empty into the garden. It got rinsed before it came back in the house. If it got gross, she just cut a new one.

[dirty ethel rackham]

We have a stainless steel compost bucket sitting next to the sink. It's sitting in a pretty white dish with a bit of water to keep the sugar ants out. (We live in the PNW and the ants are a huge problem in even the cleanest of homes. Bleah.)

 

A ceramic crock was prettier, but too heavy for the boys to take out.

 

The stainless looks nice, and it has a filter in the lid to keep down the smell.

 

Cat

 

We use the Stainless Steel one as well. We broke two of the ceramic crocks before going with this one. No ant problem here (at least not in our compost crock.)

[OrganicAnn]

Also at Gardner's Supply you can buy compost container liners. It is not made of plastic and decomposes, so you can just pull out the bag and throw the whole lot into the compost. They help keep the compost holder cleaner. A roll of them lasts quite a long time.