How to make a compost bin from old car tyres

We were chatting the other day about how to keep a recycling theme to your gardening and home composting and we really like the idea of making compost bins yourself out of recycled materials.  I've seen people compost in deceased fridge-freezers, old tea chests, sometimes using worn carpets or polyethelyne sheeting or making their own from old wooden pallets.   

But one of the simplest systems though is the old car tyre stack.  Its got alot of pros as a material its very robust and long lasting, its also insulating and because its black it gets a bit warmer in the sunshine which assists the composting process.  Its also very strong so its pretty rat-proof.

Here's one we made earlier...

I would add some caution though - old car tyres may be a great free source of ready to go, recycled material, but use them with caution because they are likely to have traces of oil and all sorts on the rubber.  So they're not exactly organic, and if that worries you, this isn’t for you. That said, I think the pros outweigh the cons personally.

So, here’s how to go about it:

• First, find yourself five used car tyres - you can get them free off Freecycle.org.uk - alternatively most garages have to pay a fortune to get rid of them so will be delighted that you want them!
• Find yourself a bin lid, or improvise with a bit of old plastic.

Build the stack

Put one of the tyres down on your solid base to get started and simply pile them lose on top of each other.  Their natural weight will hold them in place.  I've suggested five tyres but there’s no special reason for the stack being five tyres high, other than it makes it a convenient height for most people; you could just as easily use less or use six or more.

Rain-proof lid

Its not essential but useful to have a lid, its helps it sweat and keeps the rain out and ensures its rodent proof if secure.  You will find a couple of items which naturally are a perfect fit.  Of course a hub cap from a car tyre allows you to build on the recycling theme but also if you can get an old lid from one of those old fashioned dust bins they are a perfect fit for car tyres too.

Job done

A bin like this is pretty cheap and cheerful but its a good way to recycle waste materials and then you can transform your kitchen and garden waste into a useful fertiliser for your garden.