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EWSWA: Resources: Free Stuff => Instructions for 3 Compartment Composter
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We encourage you to make the best use of your yard waste. If you have the space and a fairly large yard then this is the Composter for you. It has three compartments to assist you in the various levels of the composting process.
Three Compartment Composter

Note: It is recommended that you do not use pressure-treated or chemically-treated wood. Prior to construction, treat wood with a non-toxic wood preservative.

Estimated Cost of Project is $200 -$250 (depending on wood used)
Materials Required:
  • 2 -18ft. 2by4s
  • 4 - 12ft. or 8 - 6ft. 2by2s
  • 1 - 16ft. 1by6
    (Cedar is suggested but other wood can be used)
  • 9 - 6ft. 1by6
  • 22ft. of 36in. wide ½ in. hardware cloth (we used a plastic version for our unit)
  • 12 - ½ in. carriage bolts 4in. long
  • 12 washers and 12 nuts for bolts
  • 2lbs of 3 ½ in. (16d) galvanized nails
  • 1/2lb 2 ½ in. (8d) galvanized casement nails
  • 200 poultry wire staples
    (or power stapler with 1in. galvanized staples)

Tools Required:

  • Handsaw or circular power saw
  • Drill with ½ in. & 1/8in. bits
  • Screwdriver
  • Hammer
  • Tin snips (if using wire instead of plastic)
  • Tape measure
  • Pencil
  • ¾ in. socket or open ended wrench
  • Carpenter's Square
  • Safety glasses, ear protection & Dust mask.

Step One: Build Dividers

Cut two 31 ½ in. and two 36in. pieces from each 12ft. 2by4. Butt end nail the four pieces into a 35in. x 36in. square. Repeat for the other three sections. Cut four 37in. long sections of hardware/plastic cloth. Stretch the cloth over each frame, check for squareness and secure into place every 2-4 inches around the edge.
Step 2: Set up Dividers

The dividers will be set parallel to each other and 3ft. apart. Measure & mark center for the two inside dividers. Cut four 9ft. pieces out of the two 18ft. 2by4s. Place two 9ft. base boards on top of the dividers and measure the positions for the two inside dividers.
Step 3, 4, and 5: Complete Dividers

Mark a center line for each divider on the 9ft. 2by4. With each divider, line up the centre lines and make the base board flush against the outer edge of the divider.

Drill a ½ in. hole through each junction centered 1in. from the inside edge. Secure the base boards with carriage bolts, but do not tighten yet.

Turn the unit right side up and repeat the process for the 9ft. board. Using the carpenter's square or measuring between opposing corners, make sure the bin is square and tighten all the bolts securely. Fasten a 9ft. long piece of hardware/plastic cloth securely to the back side of the bin with staples every 2-4in. around the frame.

Step 6: Front Slats & Runners
Cut four 36in. long 2by6s for front slat runners. Rip cut two of these boards to 4 ¾ in. wide and nail them securely to the front of the outside dividers and baseboard, making them flush on top and outside edges. Save the remainder of rip cut for use as back runners. Center the remaining full width boards on the front of the inside dividers flush with the top edge and nail securely.

To create back runners, cut the remaining 2by6s into a 34in. long piece then rip cut into 4 equal pieces,
1 ¼ in. x 2 in. Nail the back runner parallel to the front runners on side of divider leaving a 1in. gap for slats.
Cut all the 1by6 boards into slats about 31in. long. Slide into place as required.

Instructions are available as PDF document.

1 page, 118kb

Adobe Acrobat Reader is required.
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Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority
360 Fairview Ave. West, Suite 211, Essex, ON. Canada N8M 3G4
Tel. (519) 776-6441 ext. 229 Fax. (519) 776-6370 E-mail: Ask@ewswa.org
TTY# 1-877-624-4832
Last Revised: May 19, 2005
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