Composting isn’t as hard as it sounds and, with the best kitchen compost bins or caddies, it’s a piece of cake. If the sheer amount of waste your kitchen bin sees daily has got you raising your eyebrows, it might be time to do something useful and eco friendly with it, like make your own compost.
Although there are a few commendable hardcore composters out there who have been recycling their kitchen waste the old-fashioned way for years, most of us are new to the game. Some of us may need a little direction, less odour, and definitely fewer maggots and fruit flies (preferably none).
Best kitchen compost bins at a glance
• Best kitchen compost bin: Brabantia Sort & Go Waste Bin - view on Amazon UK
• Premium kitchen compost bin: Red Factor Premium Kitchen Compost Bin - view on Amazon UK
• Budget kitchen compost bin: Addis Recycled Plastic Food Waste Caddy - view on Dunelm
Something that isn’t a huge eyesore would also be great. With all this in mind, we found eight of the easiest, and prettiest, compost bins available. Below are the best kitchen compost bins to suit a variety of needs, styles and budgets - with space-saving options for homes. On with our favourites...
Best kitchen compost bins
Best kitchen compost bin
![Brabantia Sort & Go Waste Bin](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/6254/3871/253f/344b/6279/451a/brabantia-s-and-g.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
This sleek and smooth little composting bucket with a convenient carry handle from Brabantia is the perfect way to dispose of all your compostable waste and food scraps. The Brabantia Sort + Go Waste Bin comes in sizes from 6 litres so you can choose the optimal one for all your household composting needs. The Brabantia Sort + Go Waste Bin is also available in four shades to suit all kitchen decors.
From 13,900 customer reviews, this compost bin from Brabantia has an average 4.7/5 star rating. Customers like the quality, ease of cleaning and installation. Not only is said by many to be well-made, but it's functional - totally perfect for the job. One customer adds that it's great value and generic bin liners are a perfect fit. Customers are happy with their purchase - it's made of quality plastic and looks very nice in the pastel blue colour. Not only does the lid easily lift completely, but the wall-mount option seems sturdy and functional.
Pros
- Ideal for organic waste
- Sturdy carrying handle
- Compact design
Cons
- Some colours/size stock issues
Dimensions | H18.1 x W20 x D24.9 cm |
Capacity | 6 L |
Material | Plastic |
Best metal indoor compost bin
For a hard-wearing metal compost bin, the Caddy Company Metal Compost Caddy which comes in an array of 10 different colours is just the ticket. As Amazon's choice for the best food compost bin for the kitchen, this thing even has a removable inner bucket for easy transference to your outdoor space. It has a retro, vintage design which is very nostalgic to us. What about reviews?
Customers love this compost bin for its style. From over 1,000 customer reviews, we've gathered that that compost bin is a favourite. For very little smell and an easy clean, the Caddy Company pick is an inspired choice. Customers mention that the lid fits snuggly and is completely washable - great for everyday use. It's great quality, too, especially the lid - which is super sturdy. However, opinions are mixed on the size and seal.
Pros
- Good for use with 6-litre bags
- Removable inner bucket
- Comes in ten colours for style
Cons
- Some customers say it is a little small
Dimensions | 22 x 21.4 x 20.8 cm |
Capacity | 6 L |
Material | Metal |
Best for smaller households
![Joseph Joseph Food Waste Caddy, Stone, 4L](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/9/2024/03/Joseph-Joseph-Food-Waste-Caddy-Stone-4L.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Though there are many other kitchen compost bins with filters, this Joseph Joseph Food Waste Caddy is one of our favourites. With a mounting bracket included for a space-saving kitchen hack, this compost bin has a wide opening for scraping food from your chopping boards and dishes with ease. Easy to clean and wipe away grime, it has an adjustable air vent that controls odour and keeps insects away.
Thanks to over 100 reviews, this Joseph Joseph caddy is said to be an innovative high quality and great value pick for your veggie scraps. One customer says that it successfully keeps any nasty smells "from leaking out" and is easy to clean/refit the bag, too. So, all good, all-around. Another adds that popping food scraps from plates doesn't cause a mess, which is a relief. It doesn't take up too much space on the kitchen countertop - but, may not be best for those who have a veg-heavy diet or a larger household.
Pros
- Can be mounted on the wall to save space
- Wide opening for easy food disposal
- Controls odour and keeps insects away
Cons
- Smaller than most on this list
Size | H18 x W30 x D13cm |
Capacity | 4 L |
Material | Unspecified. |
Best kitchen compost bin with smart features
![simplehuman Compost Caddy, 4L, Stainless Steel](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/9/2024/03/simplehuman-Compost-Caddy-4L-Stainless-Steel.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Store your scraps and food waste in style with this sleek simplehuman Compost Caddy in your kitchen. Protected by an invisible silver-ion coating that resists fingerprints and germs, this pick keeps odour, pests and everything else away. Plus, the inner bucket is removable so it's easy to empty or clean. Result.
From a handful of reviews, we love this bin from simplehuman, which is said to be a great addition to any household. One customer commented that it's sleek and stylish for a bin. And, it comes with 30 liners, so you're set for some time. Some customers think it's a little pricey for the product - but, they add that it's "worth it" as it looks amazing in their kitchen. It does require certain liners, though, which can be tricky to get hold of, say customers.
Pros
- Easy to empty and clean with removable inner
- Complete with soft seal lid for odour control
- Stainless steel outer for germ resistance
Cons
- Require certain liners which can be hard to get hold of
Size | H21.5 x W24.5 x D14.5 cm |
Capacity | 4 L |
Material | Stainless steel |
Budget kitchen compost bin
![Addis Recycled Plastic Food Waste Caddy](https://images.bauerhosting.com/affiliates/sites/9/2024/03/Addis-Recycled-Plastic-Food-Waste-Caddy.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
www.dunelm.com
With a 10-year guarantee, this budget-friendly pick from Dunelm is one of our favourites. The Addis Recycled Plastic Food Waste Caddy comes with a convenient carry handle, ideal for a composter or as a simple storage caddy. Plus, it's made from 100 per cent recycled household plastic. Brilliant.
Dunelm's addition to this list is said to be fantastic and bin liners fit very well inside. Not only is it said to be outstanding value for money, but good quality. Customers are super impressed with it. With an average rating of 4.7/5 stars, many are happy to use it for its purpose, or as a useful hanging caddy for clothes pegs or dog treats. However, sometimes the lid can be tricky to open, especially when you're juggling food waste.
Pros
- Complete with a convenient carry handle
- Made from 100% recycled household plastic
- Versatile use as a composter or just for storage
Cons
- Sometimes the lid can be tricky to open, when you're juggling food waste
Size | H19 x W24.5 x D 18.5 cm |
Capacity | 4.5 L |
Material | 100% recycled plastic |
Best kitchen compost bin for countertop
![Kitchen Craft Living Nostalgia 3 litre stainless steel compost bin](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/6254/39d3/74cc/d414/1509/09e0/blue-compost-bin.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
With its beautiful vintage design and very stylish duck egg blue shade, this three-litre Kitchen Craft Living Nostalgia Compost Bin looks just like a cute biscuit tin (good job it's got 'compost' written on the front of it). It has an integrated carbon filter (and one spare) to trap nasty odours and a convenient swing handle for effortless transportability. We love the nostalgia it gives us.
From over 1,500 reviews globally, this Kitchen Craft bin is well-liked for its appearance, and quality and that it keeps smells out. One customer commented that the filter was already in place and a replacement was included, which was handy. They add that the wooden handle is a nice touch - and is well-finished. Overall, it's said to look good and feel it, too. And, the colourways are very pretty, especially the duck egg blue. However, some found the lid a little stiff.
Pros
- Vintage design to it on your kitchen top
- With an integral carbon filter to control odours
- A removable inner and handle for easy empty
Cons
- Some found the lid a little stiff
Size | L25 x W16.5 x H12 cm |
Capacity | 3 L |
Material | Stainless steel |
FAQs
How do I convert kitchen waste into compost?
There’s really not much to composting your kitchen waste other than choosing a good compost bin. Make sure to line it with an appropriate biodegradable bin bag, and then chuck food waste in there.
Once your bin is full, you’ll then transfer the contents to your outside compost batch. Although newer compost bins come with odour-trapping filters, keeping your compost bin clean is imperative to keep fruit flies at bay so a good rinse after every empty is advisable.
Before you start your composting journey, it’s worth noting what is and what isn’t compostable.
What is, or isn't, compostable?
Feel free to throw the following items into your kitchen compost bin: fruits, vegetables, bread, grains, tissues (unbleached), newspaper, eggshells, coffee filters and grounds, tea bag contents (the outsides only if made from organic fibres), nuts and nutshells, house plants as long as they’re not poisonous or diseased, and even animal hair.
Here is a list of what is not compostable and should go straight into the waste bin: butter, lard, oil, ketchup, mayo and other similar condiments, coffee pods and tea bags that are made from plastics, and those little stickers that come on fruit and vegetables.
Unfortunately, citrus peels should also be avoided as they take way too long to break down. Onion and garlic can kill the essential waste-eating bacteria needed to make a good batch of compost. Beware of cardboard that is coated and any cling film remnants too.
The jury is out on whether meat, fish, bones, dairy products, and the insides of eggs are compostable. While these things will break down over time, it does take quite a while. Plus, the stench might just be a little too much for a kitchen composter to handle.
Kat de Naoum is a freelance writer, SEO specialist, author, mother, and bookworm. She has written for many magazines and media outlets including Mother&Baby. Currently on the lookout for a BB (like AA, but for out-of-control book-buying). Find out more at katdenaoum.com