Rotating composter for school

[jackyspratty]

HI everyone.

We got a grant from the co-op for a 700l compost bin, but have sonce found out that the school is to be enlarged, therefopre will need to move the bin at some point. Also we have a need to make compost asap so the large bin at the momentisnt suitable now.

Can anyone recommend a rotating or tumbling compost bin that is hard wearing but easy to use. Preferably with a handle for turining. Size isnt important, as speed rather than quantity is needed at the moment.

Will maybe try to get a large one further down the line , once the school community has committed to composting on a large scale. At the moment just the nursary and foundation unit are regulary saving stuff to compost so makes sense to try and get one that does the job quick.

Thankyou

[Two_Sheds]

Moving bins isn't a problem, I did one today

I use the 300 litre daleks, once they're full I take the whole thing up and off, resite it and then refill it with the unrotted stuff

[jackyspratty]

Main issue really Ts is that ideally we need to start getting a regular supply of compost asap, on whatever scale. I have a tumbler in my garden, but being a bit on the short side have a bit of a problem turning it when it gets to a certain fullness! So am looking for something that is more child friendly in terms of heiht and weight if there is such a thing?We ideally need something smaller so we can make compo a little quicker, as we are desperate for it, even taking into account all the lasagne planting!

We will also have a regular bin which as you say is easily moveable and has a more leisurely pace! The original bin we had a grant for was a big 700 litre jobby but the feeling is to scale it down a little and go for speed over size (ooh er missess! Apologies couldnt resist!)

[Two_Sheds]

am looking for something that is more child friendly

This one it is then!

Trouble is, the smaller your compost heap, the slower and harder it is to make compost. By turning and re-siting my daleks frequently (monthly at the mo) it's rotting down really quickly.

I've still run out of compost space (I'm digging up tons of couch roots) so have resorted to putting it in black sacks, a la leafmold

[jackyspratty]

You little beauty TS! Thats a fab one for the foundation unit. Compost and exercise all in one!! Thats a great one to start off with.

Plan to get a more staionary"traditional" one later on in the project, when we know what space we can access, and hopefully got he school more fully on board and committed to composting!!

Thanksxx

[Two_Sheds]

hopefully got he school more fully on board and committed to composting!!

My lot are 'getting there'. I put a bendy bucket in the staffroom next to the main bin and it gets teabags etc. The caretaker was emptying it into the daleks... it was only when I started turning the daleks last week that I discovered, and picked out, 2 carrier bags worth of plastic rubbish ):
Honestly, how can TEACHERS not know that plastic forks and polystyrene boxes don't compost?

Anyway

Now I've put a sign on the bin saying "no plastic, metal or glass thank you" and it seems to be working

[Two_Sheds]

On a separate note, re the kids. I had the tinies today for a one-off sow n grow session. I showed them a bucket of homemade leafmold, a bucket of compost stuff (from the staffroom, sans plastic) and a bunch of tiger worms.

They screamed like girls at first "eugh worms, eurgh muck" but then were fascinated how such little creatures could turn rubbish into potting compost for our pretty flowers

I think a few parents will be getting their ears bent this evening

[jackyspratty]

Whwn we did the first lasagne bed the kids all got excited when the "poo" came out for the worms to eat and turn to plant food. Really captured their imagination!
We have a metal bin by the gate and parents keep ptting rubbish in it despite a sign saying what should go in. We live in hope!

Feeling like there should be school garden thread as a sticky here! Thanks for all the tips!!

[Two_Sheds]

parents keep ptting rubbish in it despite a sign

When I was filling the first lasagne bed I sent a note home requesting autumn leaves, grass clippings or kitchen veg scraps.
I got a carrier bag off one girl filled with potato peelings, fag ends and plastic packaging from cans of lager. They'd obviously just given her the rubbish bag to bring in (we're in a deprived area, people don't have bins they have carrier bags hanging on the back door handle)

[Kristen]

we're in a deprived area, people don't have bins they have carrier bags hanging on the back door handle

Destroyed my idyllic view of the North Norfolk coast being Burnham Market and blowing away the cobwebs at Hunstanton ... and the East Norfolk cost being the gorgeous gardens at East Ruston Old Vicarage ....

[Two_Sheds]

East Ruston is gorgeous, we'll be off up there again in the Easter hols. Last time, we took my FiL (an Alf Garnett type).
We walked round, all the while he was stumping around and muttering 'bladdy gays, shouldn't be allowed' and 'this is rubbish', 'I could do that better' ...

When we got to the cafe, one of the owners was there, and FiL said "what a lovely garden, I've never seen a more lovely garden, you two boys have done ever such a good job"

[Kristen]

Definitely my most favouritist garden of all the ones I have visited