The Best Compost Bins in Canada

Lomi’s countertop compost bin has been taking over more and more kitchens. It is an electric composter that turns food scraps into compost at the push of a button. However, before we continue bragging about how convenient and clean Lomi’s work is, one important fact to remember is that powder you receive is not ready to be sprinkled over the soil. For food waste to become compost it has to process for at least two weeks.   

Other than waiting time for powder to turn into compost, Lomi is the leading device on the market that allows you to skip smelly and messy steps of standard decomposing.   

The device heats and grinds food waste, then measures and controls the moisture content. At the same time airflow system is responsible for the supply of oxygen and odour neutralization.   

As one satisfied user noted, Lomi brings him joy every time he opens it after running it. “It’s easy and miraculous!” He suggests that every restaurant and school should invest in Lomi. 

Undeniably, Lomi is an efficient and mess-free composting tool. Yet, it comes at a high price. You might want to give the whole process of composting a try before buying another appliance for the kitchen. That is where budget-friendly compost bins such as OXO Good Grips are the ideal choice for beginners. 

The bin comes in two sizes, and as some reviewers noted they keep the smaller one in the fridge and use it to collect food scrapes. The larger bin can be kept under the kitchen sink and offers enough capacity for a household that cooks often.   

OXO Good Grip compost bin is lightweight, easy to clean, and it prevents even week-old smells from escaping. As one reviewer noted, she usually gets away with emptying the bin once or twice a month depending on what she cooks. “Once in a blue moon, the lid may come loose from the latch on the back. Keep a hand on that if you tend to upend and shake to empty the bin,” she added. 

Another budget-friendly bin is Oggi Countertop Compost Pail. Although it comes with charcoal filters, use compost bags inside to reduce cleaning time and prevent odour. (Oggi recommends replacing charcoal filters every two to three months. “It turns out you pinch the old ones to pull them out and then half-fold, half-wedge the fresh ones into place,” as per…..MA 

The Oggi bin comes with charcoal filters and eco liners that absorb odour allowing the bin to smell fresh even with weeks old food waste in it.   

The 3.8-litres bin looks minimal and stylish enough for you to keep it on a countertop. Yet, as one reviewer noted, her only complaint is it could be a bit larger. She would not advise Oggi to a large family. However, she added that no odour escapes through and the inside cleans easier than plastic models.  

A slightly smaller than previously mentioned bins, Bamboozle compost bin is 1.15-gallon. The bin looks stylish enough to stay on your countertop, and its bamboo-fibre construction is dishwasher safe.   

Besides minimal, modern design, Bamboozle compost bin features top-tier odour blocking. A satisfied user of Bamboozle noted that besides admiring the aesthetic, he is a fan of how well the bin works at containing smells.  

Just like other countertop compost bins, Bamboozle comes with two charcoal filters that must be replaced every two to three months.  

Just like Vitamix blenders, the FoodCycler FC-50 is a powerful device that turns food scraps into fertilizer. It is efficient, and as per most reviewers, since purchasing it they have been using FoodCycler nonstop.   

Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50 is a two-litre machine which is large enough for a four to five people household and compact enough to keep on the countertop. It easily breaks down meat scraps, vegetable peels, and other organic food waste, turning it into a substance you can start adding to the soil right away.   

The FoodCycler dries and grinds food scraps, and depending on how wet or thick the materials are, the machine might take four to eight hours. 

You would have to change filters at least every three months, but as reviewers say, Vitamix FoodCycler is worth the effort. Food waste is cut down by up to 90%, which is useful not only for your garden but also as a step towards a more sustainable home.   

A 400-litre capacity compost bin is an ideal choice for enthusiastic and professional gardeners alike. It is large enough to contain kitchen scraps, grass and dried leaves, and other yard waste, while the lifted design allows for proper airflow. The spinning function eliminates the need of turning the pile manually.  

Aerobin 400 features double insulated walls that provide suitable temperature during both cold and hot months, and seal odor without attracting flies. An aeration tube that runs through the composter speeds up the process of decomposition.   

A reviewer who has a large yard noted that she is constantly weeding and making compost piles. She bought this composting bin, and within days the pile of weeds, leaves, and vegetable leavings began to “cook.” Within a short amount of time, she had compost to spread over her flower beds for the winter. The bin was very easy to put together, she added. It is sturdy and holds the heat during the composting process.   

FCMP Outdoor IM4000 composter features two separate chambers: while one side finishes decomposing, the other one can be filled with fresh food scraps and yard waste. Swapping sides after finishing creates the flow of healthy compost in a total amount of 37 gallons.  

This is another composter that features a tumbling design making mixing compost piles easier. All you have to do is spin the composter every three days. You can expect ready-to-use compost after two weeks in sunny conditions, and a little longer during cooler months.   

As one reviewer noted, he suggests checking the humidity once per week. “Do not rush to add a lot of water. Two-three cups today and then check again in one week.” He also added that he lives in the Toronto area and there are a lot of raccoons, mice and squirrels. However, he had no issue with them. There is no bad odour coming, he noted.  

FCMP Outdoor IM4000 features aeration holes allowing mixing in oxygen and speeding up the process of decomposing.  

The last idea for creating compost is Worm Factory 360. (Can be populated with Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm red composting worms.) 

Worms swirl through food scraps and yard waste mix turning it into ready-to-use compost for garden and house plants. The tiered system makes it easy to collect compost or add new scraps to the top tray.   

As one reviewer observed, this is the perfect setup if you are tight on space and want something visually appealing. Instructions cover everything you need to know and there are a ton of Youtube videos on this specific unit.  

Based on other reviews, Worm Factory 360 does not smell or attract fruit flies, and unlike many concerns, worms do not escape. You can also help worms to turn scraps into compost faster by chopping up or blending food waste before throwing them in the composter.   

If you live in a hotter climate, keep in mind that worms are temperature sensitive, and it is best to keep the farm in a cool basement.