kitchen scraps: counter top compost pail, container, bin etc...

[Bs Peeps]

I have often just keep a plastic container of some sort, often reused from packaged food, right on the counter, no cover. And no smell.
I think it depends on what you collect. Mostly I just put greens, peels, egg shells, etc in the container. No meat or fruit (fruit brings those little fruit flies - that come out of nowhere! LOL)
I believe the open-air encourages more drying out of the scraps thus reducing any pests as opposed to a lidded container, at room temperature which encourages moisture and all that comes with it.

 

[UrbanFarmOC]

I didn't want to spend $30 on one of those
composter and I found some DIYers who used a coffee can and cat litter box filters. I didn't want an ugly coffee can on my counter, I bought a little plastic trash can for $1.50 and 2 filters at $1.50 each.

I hot glued the filter to the inside of the lid and prevented the lid from swinging but hot glueing pieces of wire. Then i drilled 2 tiny holes on top of the lid and made a loop handle with wire. Now I have a nice counter composter that doesn't smell, can hold a nice amount of scraps and I don't get any fruit flies in it. I washed and dried the lid/filter a few times already, but will replace the filters probably every 6-8 months. When you wash, make sure the filter pads dry completely first, or you'll get mold.

 

[starkist72]

I didn't want to spend $30 on one of those
composter and I found some DIYers who used a coffee can and cat litter box filters. I didn't want an ugly coffee can on my counter, I bought a little plastic trash can for $1.50 and 2 filters at $1.50 each.

I hot glued the filter to the inside of the lid and prevented the lid from swinging but hot glueing pieces of wire. Then i drilled 2 tiny holes on top of the lid and made a loop handle with wire. Now I have a nice counter composter that doesn't smell, can hold a nice amount of scraps and I don't get any fruit flies in it. I washed and dried the lid/filter a few times already, but will replace the filters probably every 6-8 months. When you wash, make sure the filter pads dry completely first, or you'll get mold.

great idea! looks nice too!

 

[starkist72]

I can't handle the smell of the coffee grounds if i leave it open on the counter :/

 

[UrbanFarmOC]

Thanks! Yes, this way the smells are masked too. So especially on warm days, you won't smell banana, coffee and whatever else you toss in there. The size I chose for mine makes it so that I I leave it on the counter overnight and toss it in the outdoor compost pile without going out in the dark or worrying about bugs.

 

[starkist72]

I bought the epica compost pail last week and I love it, thanks for the suggestions! Now the kids throw their scraps into the pail right on the table and I can let it sit until the next morning. It looks great on the counter and there's no smell! Great solution for me Thanks everyone!!