Dear Pat: I am not real handy with tools, but my daughter wants me to build a compost bin for our yard. I would like to build a simple one, but I want it to be somewhat effective. What do you suggest? — Marta W.

Dear Marta: Schools today are teaching children more and more about taking care of the environment and recycling for the future.

Composting is actually not recycling products, but it is the reuse of organic material that would otherwise end up in our landfills. You might not realize it, but nearly 30 percent of the trash we dispose of is composed of organic materials such as lawn clippings and food waste. By composting these materials, our landfills will fill up more slowly and we will be able to reintroduce these organic materials into the soil.

Composting is the most natural of processes. When you combine heat, moisture and natural microorganisms with organics waste, the waste slowly decomposes. The result is very rich soil that is ideal for many uses around your landscaping and gardens.

The key to building an effective compost system is containing the waste so that decomposition can take place. The actual amounts of moisture and heat are not critical. But it is important to have access to the compost to stir it so that it will decompos more evenly.

A wood pallet compost bin is the one of the simplest and least expensive designs to build. You can often find old pallets at home center stores or manufacturing facilities. Sometimes, they will give them to you for free just to get rid of them. You will need at least three pallets.

Set two pallets up on end to form two sidewalls of a triangular compost bin. There will be many gaps in the pallets you can use to secure them together with wire. You might also drive in some nails or screws to make the assembly more secure. Attach the third pallet across the opening with wire on one edge and screws on the other edge to form the complete triangle.

This will allow you to swing one pallet open like a door.

Slide 1-by-4 pieces lumber in the open slots in the pallets to close the gaps in the sidewalls. You can cover the top with a fourth pallet, but it is not necessary.

Most compost systems have three bins so you can move the contents of the first bin to the next as the waste reaches different stages of decomposition. This allows you to have a starter bin for fresh waste and a final bin with usable compost soil.

Another simple system uses garbage cans with holes drilled in the sides and bottoms. A dozen half-inch holes per garbage can should be adequate. Galvanized metal cans work best. Periodically, simply tilt the cans over on their sides and roll them to mix the contents inside.

If you have wire cutters and pliers, you can make four-sided wire mesh bins. You can find wire mesh at most home center stores. Wear thick work gloves and cut four 3-by-2-foot sections. Position your cuts so one side has the wire sticking out. Using pliers, bend the wires around the edge of each adjacent section to create the bins.

Once you have your three compost bins completed, start adding the organic waste materials. These can include grass clippings, chopped-up leaves, coffee grounds, teabags, eggshells, fruit and vegetable scraps, stale bread, apple cores, pet hair, fireplace ash and sawdust.

Send your questions to Here's How, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com. To find out more about Pat Logan and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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