Skip to main content
ABOUTTwitter
TRANSLATE

Using Translation

The County of San Mateo has added a translation feature developed by Google Translate to assist web visitors in understanding information on this website in a variety of foreign languages. Please be aware that Google Translate, a free third party service which the County does not control, provides automated computer translations that may not give you an exact translation. The County cannot guarantee the accuracy of translations through Google Translate so translations should not be considered exact and only used as a rough guide. Anyone relying on information obtained from Google Translate does so at his or her own risk. The County disclaims and will not accept any liability for damages or losses of any kind caused by the use of the Google Translate feature.

Wood and Wire Stationary 3-Bin System

This system is used to compost large amounts of yard materials in a brief period of time.

This unit can be built for approximately $500.00. Construction requires basic carpentry skills and tools.

Do not use treated wood or treat the finished 3-bin unit with wood preservatives or paint of any kind. Use recycled wood or redwood for all bin parts. Overall outside dimensions 9′ wide x 36″ deep x 32″ high.

MATERIALS

WOOD

  • (3) 9-foot 2x4s
  • (4) 12-foot or (8) 6-foot 2x4s
  • (1) 9-foot 2×2
  • (2) 6-foot 2x2s
  • (10) 6-foot 2×6
  • (1) 16-foot or (3) 6-foot 2x6s
  • (9) 6-foot cedar 1x6s

HARDWARE

  • 22 feet of 36″ wide hardware cloth
  • (12) ½” carriage bolts 4″ long
  • (12) ½” washers and 12 nuts for bolts
  • Box of 2 ½” decking screws
  • Box (250) of ½”wire staples
  • (1) 12-foot and (1) 8-foot clear corrugated roofing sheets
  • (3) 8-foot lengths of closure strips for corrugated roofing
  • Box ¾” wafer head screws for corrugated roofing
  • (2) 3″ zinc plated hinges for lid
  • (8) flat 4″ corner braces with screws
  • (4) flat 3″ T-braces with screws

TOOLS

  • Hand saw or circular power saw
  • Drill with ¼” and 1/8” bits
  • Staple gun
  • Screwdriver
  • Hammer
  • Power stapler with 1″ long
  • Galvanized staples
  • Tin snips
  • Tape measure
  • Pencil
  • Socket or crescent wrench
  • Carpenter’s square
  • Safety glasses
  • Ear protection
  • Gloves

INSTRUCTIONS

DIVIDERS

  • Cut (2) 31 ½ ” and (2) 36″ pieces from each 12-foot 2×4.
  • Predrill the holes and butt end screw the four pieces into a 35″ x 36″ section. Use the square to make sure each divider section is square.
  • Repeat for other three sections.
  • Using gloves, cut four 37″ long sections of hardware cloth, bend back edges 1″.
  • Stretch hardware cloth across each frame, check for squareness of the frame and staple screen tightly into place every 4″ around edge.

SET UP DIVIDERS

  • Lay out 2 of the 9-foot 2x4s and set up the dividers parallel to one another 3 feet apart.
  • Measure and mark centers for the two inside dividers.
  • Place (2) 9-foot base boards on top of dividers and measure the positions for the two inside the dividers. Mark a center line for each divider on the 9-foot 2×4.
  • With each divider, line up the centerlines and make the baseboard flush against the outer edge of the divider. Drill a ½” hole through each junction centered 1″ in from the inside edge.
  • Secure baseboards with carriage bolts, but do not tighten yet. Turn the unit right side up and repeat the process for the top 9-foot board.
  • Using the carpenter’s square or measuring between opposing corners, make sure the bin is square, and tighten all bolts securely.
  • Fasten a 9-foot piece of hardware cloth securely to the backside of the bin with staples every 4″ around the frame.

FRONT SLATS AND RUNNERS

  • Cut (4) 36″ long 2x6s for front slat runners.
  • Cut lengthwise two of these boards to 4 ¾ ” wide and screw them securely to the front of the outside dividers and baseboard, making them flush on top and outside edges.
  • Save the remainder of the rip cut boards for use as back runners.
  • Center the remaining full width boards on the front of the inside dividers flush with the top edge, and screw securely.
  • To create back runners, cut the remaining 2×6 into a 34″ long piece and then rip cut into 4 equal pieces, 1 ¼ ” x 2″.
  • Screw back runner parallel to front-runners on side of divider leaving a 1″ gap for slats.
  • Cut all the 1×6″ cedar boards into slats 31 ¼ ” long.

LID

  • Cut (4) 32 ½ ” 2x2s and (1) 9-foot 2×2.
  • Lay out into position on ground as illustrated on front page and make sure they are square.
  • Screw in corner braces and T-braces on bottom side of the frame.
  • Center lid frame, brace side down on bin structure and attach to the back with hinges.
  • Cut the wiggle board to fit the front and back 9-foot sections of the lid frame.
  • Cut corrugated roofing to fit flush with front and back edges.
  • Overlay pieces at least one channel wide. Pre-drill roofing and closure strips for each wafer head screw hole.
  • Screw on top of every third hump with gasketed screws.
  • Secure the lid to a fence with a hook or prop it up with a piece of wood while using the bin.

For more information, email smcsustainability@smcgov.org or call 888-442-2666.