Why You Should Line Your Compost Bin With Paper Towels
Nobody likes to empty the compost bin . If you’re unlucky enough, something sticks to the bottom, causing you to float above a pile of stinking, rotting organics as you try to haul out the contents. But you don’t need expensive compost bags to solve this problem – regular old paper towels will do as well.
If your compost bin is constantly overflowing, this one is for you: just fold one or two paper towels so that they fit neatly on the bottom of your (freshly cleaned) bucket, then toss them there. It’s a tiny little trick that makes a disproportionate difference: the towel layer keeps hard things from sticking to the bottom of the bucket, but more importantly, it gets soaked in the compost liquid, making it nice and slippery. When you empty the bucket, the wet and slippery towel at the bottom of the stack slips out along with everything on it. And since paper towels are biodegradable, you can simply leave them in the compost and let them do their thing.
This hacker also keeps the trash can from getting really nasty, which is a huge benefit. The less food you have left inside the bin, the less you have to wipe – and the less likely you are to end up with permanently stained trash. This is a huge benefit to both you and your plumber, especially in the long run.
Paper towels may not make composting your favorite pastime, but there is nothing wrong with making hateful housework easier. Next time you clean your compost bin, be sure to put some paper towels on the bottom of the bin when you’re done. You will be very glad you did.