Envirocycle Original Composter is a compost maker AND a compost tea maker! This unique base design collects compost tea, which is a wonderful liquid fertilizer. This composter has been on the market for 19 years. It has a rotating drum that makes composting very easy. Arrives fully assembled and ready to use. This composter is made with a high percent of recycled plastic.

Out of stock until February 2012.

• Rotates on it's own base, so you do not need to turn it with a pitchfork like compost piles
• Very easy to rotate
• Large capacity
• Base fills with liquid compost tea that is a wonderful fertilizer for any indoor or outdoor plants

Dimensions: 20.5" x 25.5" x 29.5" High
Weighs 20.5 pounds
52 gallon drum capacity and 3.8 gallon base capacity

You can use this Composter 12 months a year. In winter months, move the Envirocycle Composter/Composteamaker close to your home for easy access. Do not turn the unit. You can continue to add waste. Freezing will break down fibers in organic material and will accelerate decomposition in the spring.

• Secure, latchable door flips up to add kitchen and yard waste.
• Easy grip indentations in the drum for effortless rotation.
• Eight rollers are snapped in place on top of base for smooth rotation of the drum.
• Four removable caps are used to collect compost tea in the base or, as an option, to divert it for direct drainage into the ground.
• To empty base, unscrew cap and attach a garden hose or empty directly into a bucket.

Operation of the EnviroCycle Composter:

• Collect any household waste in an adequately sized container.
• Toss kitchen and garden waste in drum opening.
• Close and secure lid.
• Rotate drum.
• Smaller pieces compost faster.
• Always maintain a 50/50 ratio of green and brown material.
• As an option, add soil to activate first batch.
• Rotate drum 3 times a week to ensure perfect mix and air circulation.
• Add more brown material or simply rotate drum should any odor develop.
• Keep material moist, but not wet.
• As drum becomes heavier, use a back and forth rocking motion.
• For best results, do not fill drum more than 3/4 full.
• A cycle for finished compost and compostea takes between 4 to 6 weeks.
• To speed up the composting process, simply rotate the drum more often.

To use the compost:

• Roll drum to desired spot.
• Open door and tip for easy removal of solid compost.
• For use on indoor plants, aerate compost on lawn or in open container for approximately 1-2 days to remove excess moisture.
• As an option, leave a handful of finished compost to activate the next batch.
• Base collects compost tea (liquid fertilizer) for use on indoor and outdoor plants.
• Dilute compost tea with approximately 10 parts water to 1 part compostea before use.

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Compostable Materials

• Brown (dry)
• Leaves
• Dry grass
• Straw
• Sawdust
• All kinds of tissue paper
• Newspaper (shredded)
• Paper & cartons (shredded)
• Egg cartons (shredded)
• Green (wet)
• Fruit peels
• Vegetable peels
• Coffee grinds and filters
• Tea bags
• Egg shells
• Garden waste
• Plant trimmings
• Table waste
• Matter to avoid
• Meat
• Fish
• Dairy products
• Sauces
• Oil
• Fat
• Pet waste
• Diseased plants
• Seeding weeds
• Bones

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Frequently Asked Questions about the EnviroCycle Composter

How exactly does the Envirocycle Composter/Composteamaker work?

All you have to do is open the lid, throw in the waste, close the lid and rotate the unit to mix the contents well (at least 3 times/week to maintain active composting) and there you have it! The Envirocycle Composter/Composteamaker requires no mixing tools other than your hands to rotate the drum - without getting them dirty! One cycle of the decomposition process takes a period of about 30 to 40 days, but the maturing time of a composting cycle varies depending on how often the composter is turned and the size of the original ingredients. In principal, the more often the composter is turned and the smaller the ingredients, the faster the total composting time.

How do I know when the maturation period is completed so that I can empty my compost?

At the end of the 5th week, stop adding waste to the composter for 5 days. During this final maturing period, accumulate new waste in a separate plastic container. At the end of the 6th week, it is now time to empty out your composter. Once your composter is empty, you may begin to add new waste to it. Composting demands a minimum of 2 cubic feet of varied waste (dry and humid). It is always important to keep the composting materials moist.

How do I empty out my composter?

To rapidly empty out your composter:

1. Remove the barrel from the base, place it on the ground and roll it to the area in which you want to empty it out
2. Lift off the lid
3. Turn the barrel face down to the ground
4. Shake the barrel and the compost will fall out

Should I use activated chemicals in order to accelerate the decomposition process?

Activated chemicals are not necessary. Instead add a shovel full of earth or compost obtained from your first collection to accelerate the decomposition process of the next composting cycle.

What should I do when the compost barrel is hard to turn?

If the barrel is hard to turn, make sure that the material inside is moist but not wet. It may also indicates that the composting cycle is at its mature state.

How do I make use of compost tea?

The liquid (compost tea) that is collected in the base is an excellent source of nutrient-enriched sustenance for trees, flowers and indoor plants. Due to its high concentration, the compost tea should be mixed with 10 parts of water (10/1).

Should I add water to the compostable materials?

The Envirocycle Composter/Composteamaker does not need to have water added because the interior level of humidity remains ideal.

How does one equalize the carbon-nitrogen ratio required for composting?

To equalize the carbon-nitrogen ratio, pile up your dead leaves in bags; when added to your household wastes, they will help equalize the carbon-nitrogen ratio. As an alternative, newspaper cut into strips will also work.

Can I use the Envirocycle Composter/Composteamaker during the cold winter months?

In winter, the composting process is slowed down, but you may continue to add fresh material to the compost. In spring, the compost will thaw and the process will resume. You may place the unit on a balcony, in the garage, or close to a doorway.

I'm experiencing bugs and the compost doesn't seem to be breaking down very quickly?

Moisture and aeration during composting are inversely proportional. The more water there is, the less air, and vice versa. There must be enough aeration to ensure aerobic decomposition, Proper aeration and proper C/N ratio also helps to eliminate the risk of unpleasant odors and bugs.