Cheap compost bins

[IanP]

Hey all,

just bought two 330 litre compost bins for �6 each, including delivery. Looked 'em up on the web and the RRP is �40 each!

I got them via the local council who offer a subsidised compost bin scheme. If you live in the cherwell district go to http://www.cherwell-dc.gov.uk/recycling/compost.cfm for details, or ring 0870 844 3006.

If you don't live in Oxfordshire try typing your postcode into this site http://www.recyclenow.com/home_composting/ and it'll tell you if you can get cheap ones too!

Happy composting.

Ian.

[Bex]

I've ordered one of these through recycle now, its my local water board that organises mine not the council but it was still only �6. They reckon it will be 28 day delivery though so just waiting now.

[FoxHillGardener]

hmph. My council aren't doing it.

Will keep checking back though. Our one dalek is full to bursting, really should have at least two on the go at a time

[martini]

If you lived up here (Lancs) you'd get up to a maximum of 3 free ! I must admit the council's very good at recycling but it means the 2 bins (one for normal waste an done for garden waste) only get emptied on alternate week s - gets a bit smelly in summer We also have to separate plastic bottles with tins, cardboard, paper, glass and old clothes.

[Mrs Dobby]

We got one earlier this year through the same scheme, they also said 28 days for delivery, but was here within the week! Having seen some of the prices that folks will pay on ebay and in shops it amazed me just how cheap they were through the council!

Mind you, the one we have is for home use only, the one on the allotment is a classic 4 pallets tied together! Even cheaper!!!!

[Spuds up]

I have now had two through the local council scheme.

The last one that came this summer was only �6 can't remember how much my first was.

I also got a letter offfering a training session on what to do with one. Did not need it really as I had already had a composter for 18 months. Paper went in the composter so it had some use!

[Bex]

My bin arrived today, although I nearly missed it as they left it outside the door to the flats that I don't use, spotted it when I took the dog for a walk.

Had to squash it into the back of the car as it seemed huge, not bad for �6.

[SueA]

You can get cheap compost bins from Salford Council as well, I think they strat at about �4 & have a few different sizes/styles at various prices. I got one free from them about 2 years ago when I signed up for the recycling scheme & was one of the first 100 to send the form in from the local paper.

[roitelet]

Anyone tried the big white bags that sand etc, is delivered in. Just nail the flaps at the corners to stout wooden stakes with galvanised felt nails and drive them into the ground. The bags are woven so they drain well and you don't get a soggy mess in the bottom. The compost rots better than in a wooden bin and they are not too difficult to empty as they are so big that you can get inside them They are often free too as they are not returnable always. Not very pretty but they can always be screened.

[mazel-bee]

It's a shame, the councils help us with compost bins. But with all of the water troubles in summer, there are no subsidies for water butts. Which I find very expensive.

[Snadger]

Anyone tried the big white bags that sand etc, is delivered in. Just nail the flaps at the corners to stout wooden stakes with galvanised felt nails and drive them into the ground. The bags are woven so they drain well and you don't get a soggy mess in the bottom. The compost rots better than in a wooden bin and they are not too difficult to empty as they are so big that you can get inside them They are often free too as they are not returnable always. Not very pretty but they can always be screened.

Funny enough roitelet I was thinking along the same lines. Seen someone leaf sweeping and using one of these to collect them. If my truck hadn't been full at the time I would have offered to take it away as he had a skip in the drive and I assumed thats where it was all going to go!

Make a brilliant leaf mould receptacle if set up the way you have suggested!

[mazel-bee]

hmph. My council aren't doing it.

Will keep checking back though. Our one dalek is full to bursting, really should have at least two on the go at a time

Have you got a friend in Kent? Kent council do them for �6.