15 Stylish Compost Bins That Don’t Look Like Total Garbage

Jun 24, 2023

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Waste not with these cute containers.

Composting has taken over the sustainability discourse as of late. New York City, for instance, made it mandatory to compost food scraps, a law that will go into effect across all five boroughs by the end of 2024. California, meanwhile, made composting compulsory back in 2022. If you’re living in a city where these laws are soon to take effect, it’s natural to have a few questions: Will this affect my day-to-day routine? How is it helping the environment? And, perhaps most important, what do I need to do on garbage day?

The answers are very straightforward. At its core, composting is simply separating food and organic matter from the rest of your trash. Microorganisms then break down these materials to create by-products that can be used again as soil. In other words, if you live in an urban area where composting is mandatory, you need a new bin for food waste that will be disposed of separately come garbage day. Naturally, said receptacle doesn’t have to be a total, well, garbage. Here, we’ve rounded up the best compost bin options to get you started on your sustainability journey.

OXO has become a go-to for everything from bar tools to coffeemakers, so why not add the brand’s compost bin to the kitchen accessory mix? The lid closes securely to minimize odors, and the handle makes it easy to transport come garbage day.

Composting is great for the environment, but it can lead to unwanted kitchen odors. Epica nips that in the bud with its compost bin, which includes charcoal filters that neutralize stinkier foods.

This compost bin is made of bamboo, so it’s all natural from top to bottom and comes with two carbon filters to minimize bad-smelling foodstuffs. We love the cream colorway, but it’s available in black and gray too!

Compost bins don’t have to be giant stainless steel fixtures like a garbage bin. This one from Typhoon is so chic, guests will never guess what stinky scraps are lurking inside. Available in navy, gray, black, and white, and it comes with carbon filters for odor.

This compost bin snaps shut easily, so odors will stay inside and not out, and its blush hue makes it a standout among others on the market.

If you’re the sort of person who likes to keep everything organized and labeled (we see you, pantry organizers!), then this compost bin is for you. A rubber seal keeps smells to a minimum, and a plastic inner bucket can be easily removed for disposal.

Who ever thought a day at the museum could end with a new compost bin? This option, from MoMA Design Store, has a filtration system to minimize odors, and liners can be purchased separately to keep everything neat and tidy.

This compost bin is not like the others. Bamboozle’s is available in a wide range of fun colors, from yellow and green to red and blue. A filter keeps odors to a minimum, and a handle makes it easy to maneuver.

You know Simplehuman for its chic, functional garbage cans, so it only makes sense that the brand makes a great compost bin as well. It’s among one of the most versatile options on this list, as its magnetic dock can be attached to a garbage container or elsewhere in the kitchen if you’d prefer not to have it sitting on a countertop.

Some bins are all-in-one and can compost food directly on your kitchen counter, so you can make soil from the comfort of your own home, saving you a trip to the local drop-off facility. This one from Teraganix is a great example, although you’ll typically pay a bit more for this sort of composter.

We love the artisanal look of this compost bin, which can hold almost 1½ gallons of food waste—and look great while doing it.

There’s something incredibly contemporary about the look and feel of these circular compost bins. Best of all? They’re totally dishwasher-safe.

For a more subdued bin, try this all-black option from Fox Run Brands, which offers a more subtle take on the compost container formula.

A green color option only makes sense for this sort of eco-friendly practice.... Plus, Brabantia makes recycling bins in the same hue, if you want your kitchen accessories to match.

Vitamix isn’t just for your a.m. green juices! Its all-in-one FoodCycler will take all the legwork out of composting, making it ideal for home gardeners. And with its compact profile, you’ll barely notice it’s there.

Helena Madden is ELLE DECOR’s associate market editor, and covers all things product and trend, from flatware and furnishings to kitchen and bath. She previously worked as a staff writer at Robb Report, where she covered luxury news with a focus on interior design.

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