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| Home > Resources > Composting > Home Composting > Barrel Composter |
Barrel Composters - a Regina Test RunRegina Tests Locally-Made Barrel ComposterMark Smishek, Waste Minimization Officer for the City of Regina, took a locally-made barrel composter for a test drive in the fall of 2004. His impression? Two thumbs up! Mark was pleased with the sturdiness of the design and the speedy breakdown of the materials he added. The composter Mark tested is made from a reused 45 gallon plastic barrel that rotates end for end in a welded frame. The barrel is loaded from one end. The only internal feature is a rod that runs through the pivot point. Mark made one modification: he increased the number of air holes. Mark placed the composter in a shady spot and added the usual range of household food and yard compostables. Mark treated this much as he did any other compost bin and chopped up bulky items like potato tops. He tried doing a ‘batch’ process as well as one where he gradually added materials. Both methods worked equally well. Turning the barrel over 10 times every day or two and adjusting the moisture when necessary was all the care required. The materials heated well and were quite well decomposed after 26 days of warm weather. Barrel composters are of interest for several reasons. If they are well designed, they make the process of turning your compost a fun daily ritual—a great plus for those with back problems. The easy turning keeps the compost mixture well aerated so that decomposition is rapid and free from odour problems. Barrel composters are also rodent resistant. These types of composting units have been available commercially for decades but tend to be quite expensive. The City of Regina is planning to promote the use of these composters. Groups like Ranch Erlo and the Dojack Centre will produce them and the Girl Guides will be involved in marketing. The barrel composters will be available in two sizes: 30 and 45 gallons and will be priced in the $100-$125 range. (Source: WasteWatch, March 2005)
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