When I was growing up, I remember there being a compost pile at the bottom of the garden. I guess this was my first introduction to compost. The compost pile contained everything from kitchen waste to garden waste. Anything that could biodegrade, was sure to be found there. It was a big, messy pile, that often stank, attracted all sorts of pests, and had funny things growing all over it. This pile also had to be maintained quite regularly, or else the smells and pests got out of control, quite quickly—the maintenance involved getting into the pile, and manually turning everything with a spade. I was told that this was to increase the amount of oxygen and airflow within the materials, to speed up the composting process, and to prevent things from rotting. From time to time, the compost pile also had to be sprayed with the hosepipe. This added water was meant to give moisture to the dry elements of the compost pile. All of this information meant very little to me, and to be honest, it was not my idea of fun, let alone anything that I wanted to get involved in. I left it to my dad, and our gardener at the time to sort out.
Fast forward a few years, and I find myself right in the deep end of the compost world. I’m not too sure how it happened, but I’m glad that it did. Composting has become an essential part of my daily life, and it has had a profoundly positive impact on my life, without trying to sound too cliché. In 2021, I attempted to DIY my compost bin at home, in an attempt to reduce the amount of organic waste I sent to landfill. I made this DIY compost system using a round bin that had a clip-on lid. The reason I wanted to use a bin was to try and contain all of the material that was to be composted. I had been put off by the site of the compost pile growing up and I wanted to try creating a closed system, that allowed me to manage my waste. After using it for a few days, I quickly realized that something needed to change. Without any air being circulated through the material, the material was beginning to rot and started producing a foul odour. Due to minimal air being circulated, the material was turning anaerobic. So, I tipped all the material out, drilled some holes into the bin, and loaded everything back inside. With the clip-on lid, it meant I was able to put the bin on its side, and roll it, to increase the amount of air that circulated inside, in an attempt to create an aerobic environment.
I had succeeded in creating a contained system, so I checked that box. The DIY compost system still required maintenance, and if I went away for a few days and didn’t ‘roll’ the bin, I was left with a smelly mess, yet again. Ultimately, the system was a failure. It was frustrating for me, and there had to be an easier way for me to manage my organic waste. After trying a few different concepts and designs, that all failed in some way or other, I was tired and on the verge of giving up.
In September 2023, the opportunity to test out the Aerobin Home Composter came about. Initially, I was a bit sceptical about the product, it looked quite similar to some of the DIY Composters out there, and I couldn’t imagine it to work much better. I was pleasantly surprised at how efficient the Aerobin was at composting my home and garden waste. The Aerobin Home Composter has proven to be an extremely simple, and effective system to use at home for composting and managing my waste. The design looks simple, however it is far from simple. The insulated design creates an environment that mimics a forest, ensuring that air is continuously circulated throughout the system, giving the waste a fresh, earthy smell to it. Gone are the days of foul smells, and unwanted pests. The Aerobin Home Composter is static, and it does not require any manual intervention. The only manual thing you need to do is load your waste into the top of the bin. It is as easy as throwing your rubbish into the trash bin. However, the difference between composting your waste, as opposed to sending it to a landfill, is incredibly positive.
My Aerobin Home Composter lives outside, in my garden. To make things easier for myself, I have a 10L plastic bucket with a lid that I keep on the kitchen counter. I use this plastic bucket to transport my matter to the Aerobin from the kitchen so that I don’t have to make multiple trips using my hands. I empty this plastic bucket into the Aerobin, with a handful or two of sawdust, whenever I’ve cooked a meal at home or have waste that can be composted. I try and aim for a ratio of 3:1 (Nitrogen: Carbon elements, or “Greens: Browns”).
I have been using my Aerobin 200L since September 2023, and I have already harvested compost twice since then, which I’ve used around my garden. The flowers and vegetable patch have never been happier.
If you’re looking for a simple way to manage your waste or compost at home, then look no further. With Aerobin, Urban Composting has never been easier!