If space is limiting or you can fill more than 3 or 4 plastic Dalek style bins, a set of New Zealand bays is probably a better solution for you when making compost. 2 or 3 bays will allow you to compost much more material in the same space as 3 or 4 Dalek style bins.

You will need;

• Access to 2 to 4 square meters of garden or some green space such as an allotment.
• 2 or 3 New Zealand bays. The bays will have 3 or 4 sides, no bottom and are very unlikely to have a lid. See the section on types of cold composting bins, including how to make your own if you have a limited budget.
• Waste fruit, vegetable and plant matter. These are nitrogen producers, also known as greens, which contain water.
• Waste paper, card and woody matter. These are carbon producers, also known as browns, which absorb water.
• Air. Compost production is and aerobic process. The microorganisms, bugs and beasts manufacturing your compost for you need to breathe. Scrunch up your paper waste so that air is trapped amongst the layers.

The process is the same as cold composting on a medium scale, turning one bay into the next until you have a useable medium. It is not necessary to have a lid on a New Zealand bay as any rain water will filter through and soak away. However I use an old piece of carpet to keep the birds off and to stop any paper blowing away. The carpet also helps insulate the contents in winter and keep the moisture in through the summer. It may be necessary to add a little water in the summer months if your compost looks a bit dry. After 6 to 12 weeks your compost will be ready to use. If you are not ready to use your compost it willl store successfully.

Of course there are those who have access to a large space but prefer to operate darlek style bins anyway. You can set up as many bins as you have space for if you want to. Below is the longest run of bins I have found to date.

If you have any questions please ask me.