How to Compost in a 5 Gallon Bucket: Complete DIY Guide

How to Compost in a 5 Gallon Bucket: Complete DIY Guide (2026)

Last Updated: February 22, 2026 | Written by PailHQ Industrial Packaging Team | Reviewed by composting specialists

Want to start composting but don't have yard space? A 5-gallon bucket composting system is the perfect solution for apartments, small yards, and beginners. With just one or two food-grade HDPE buckets, you can turn kitchen scraps into rich garden soil in as little as 6-8 weeks.

Quick Answer: Drill 20-30 ventilation holes in a 5-gallon bucket, layer brown materials (cardboard, leaves) with green materials (food scraps), and turn every 3-5 days. A properly managed bucket composter produces usable compost in 6-12 weeks. Cost: under $15 for a complete setup.

What you'll learn:

  • How to build a 5-gallon bucket composter in under 30 minutes
  • The correct brown-to-green ratio for fast decomposition
  • Bokashi vs aerobic composting in buckets
  • Worm composting (vermicomposting) setup guide
  • Troubleshooting common odor and pest problems

Related guides: Food Grade vs Regular Buckets | DIY Bucket Projects | Gardening Guide

Why Use a 5-Gallon Bucket for Composting?

Five-gallon buckets are ideal composting containers for several practical reasons. They hold approximately 0.67 cubic feet of material, which is enough volume to generate the microbial heat needed for decomposition while remaining small enough to manage by hand. A filled compost bucket weighs 25-40 lbs depending on moisture content, well within safe lifting range.

HDPE plastic (the material used in most 5-gallon buckets) resists the acids and moisture produced during composting without degrading. Unlike metal containers, HDPE won't rust or leach chemicals into your compost. Food-grade HDPE buckets are FDA-approved under 21 CFR 177.1520, meaning the plastic itself is safe for food contact and won't contaminate your finished compost.

The tapered shape of a standard 5-gallon bucket also makes it easy to dump finished compost. Simply flip the bucket upside down and the compost slides out cleanly. This is much easier than trying to empty a flat-bottomed container or a barrel composter.

Cost Comparison: Bucket vs Commercial Composters

| Composter Type | Cost | Capacity | Compost Time |

|---|---|---|---|

| 5-gallon bucket DIY | $5-15 | 5 gallons | 6-12 weeks |

| Tumbler composter | $80-200 | 35-70 gallons | 4-8 weeks |

| Stationary bin | $40-100 | 50-80 gallons | 3-6 months |

| Worm bin (commercial) | $60-150 | 10-20 gallons | 2-3 months |

| Bokashi bin (commercial) | $40-80 | 5 gallons | 2-4 weeks |

A 5-gallon bucket composter delivers 80-95% of the functionality of commercial composters at a fraction of the cost. For small households producing 2-5 lbs of food scraps per week, bucket composting is the most practical and economical option.

How to Build a 5-Gallon Bucket Composter

Materials Needed

  • 1-2 five-gallon HDPE buckets with lids (view food-grade options)
  • Drill with 1/4-inch bit
  • Brown material: shredded cardboard, dried leaves, newspaper
  • Green material: fruit/vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells
  • Optional: a second bucket as a drip tray

Step 1: Drill Ventilation Holes

Aerobic composting requires oxygen flow. Drill 20-30 holes (1/4-inch diameter) in the bottom and lower sides of the bucket. Space holes 2-3 inches apart. Drill an additional 8-10 holes in the lid. These holes allow air circulation while keeping pests out.

Important: Do not skip the drainage holes in the bottom. Without drainage, excess moisture collects and creates anaerobic conditions that produce foul odors.

Step 2: Create a Drip Tray

Place the drilled bucket inside a second bucket (without holes) or on a tray to catch liquid that drains out. This liquid, called compost tea or leachate, is a nutrient-rich fertilizer that can be diluted 10:1 with water and applied directly to plants.

Step 3: Layer Your Materials

Start with a 2-3 inch layer of brown material at the bottom. Add 1-2 inches of green material (food scraps). Top with another inch of brown material. Maintain a ratio of approximately 3 parts brown to 1 part green by volume.

Step 4: Maintain and Turn

Every 3-5 days, stir or shake the bucket contents to introduce oxygen. Add food scraps as they accumulate, always covering with brown material. If the compost smells bad, add more brown material. If it looks dry and isn't decomposing, add water until the consistency resembles a wrung-out sponge.

Bokashi Composting in 5-Gallon Buckets

Bokashi is a Japanese fermentation method that processes food waste anaerobically using a special inoculant (bokashi bran). Unlike traditional composting, bokashi can handle meat, dairy, and cooked food scraps that would attract pests in an aerobic system.

How Bokashi Works

  1. Add food scraps to a sealed 5-gallon bucket (no ventilation holes needed)
  2. Sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of bokashi bran over each layer
  3. Press scraps down to remove air pockets
  4. Seal the lid tightly between additions
  5. Drain the liquid from the spigot every 2-3 days (this is bokashi tea)
  6. After 2 weeks of fermentation, bury the pre-compost in soil or add to a traditional compost pile

Bokashi vs Aerobic Composting

| Feature | Bokashi | Aerobic Bucket |

|---|---|---|

| Accepts meat/dairy | Yes | No |

| Odor level | Mild pickle smell | Can be strong if unbalanced |

| Time to finish | 2-4 weeks + 2-4 weeks soil burial | 6-12 weeks |

| Maintenance | Drain liquid only | Turn every 3-5 days |

| Requires oxygen | No (anaerobic) | Yes |

| Cost | $15-30 (bran ongoing) | $5-15 one-time |

Worm Composting (Vermicomposting) in Buckets

Worm composting uses red wiggler worms (Eisenia fetida) to break down food scraps into high-quality worm castings. A 5-gallon bucket worm bin can process 1-2 lbs of food scraps per week with a population of 500-1,000 worms.

Setting Up a Worm Bucket

  1. Drill ventilation holes in the lid and upper sides of the bucket (not the bottom for a single-bucket system)
  2. Add 4-6 inches of damp, shredded newspaper or cardboard as bedding
  3. Add 500 red wiggler worms (available online for $25-35 per pound)
  4. Wait 2-3 days for worms to settle, then begin feeding small amounts of food scraps
  5. Bury scraps under bedding to prevent flies
  6. Harvest castings every 2-3 months by pushing material to one side and adding fresh bedding to the empty side

What Worms Eat (and Don't Eat)

Feed: Fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and filters, tea bags, crushed eggshells, small amounts of bread and pasta, shredded newspaper

Avoid: Meat, dairy, citrus (in large quantities), onions and garlic (in large quantities), oily or greasy food, pet waste

Troubleshooting Common Composting Problems

Bad Odors

Cause: Too much green material, insufficient oxygen, or excess moisture.

Fix: Add brown material (shredded cardboard works fast), turn the compost, and drill additional ventilation holes if needed.

Fruit Flies

Cause: Exposed food scraps on the surface.

Fix: Always bury food scraps under 2+ inches of brown material. Place a piece of cardboard directly on top of the compost surface.

Compost Too Dry

Cause: Too much brown material or insufficient moisture.

Fix: Add water with a spray bottle until material is damp (not soggy). Add more green material.

Compost Not Breaking Down

Cause: Pieces too large, temperature too cold, or pH imbalance.

Fix: Chop food scraps into smaller pieces (1-2 inches). Move bucket to a warmer location (55-77 degrees F is ideal). Add a handful of garden soil to introduce beneficial microbes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you compost in a 5-gallon bucket?

Yes. A 5-gallon bucket with proper ventilation holes makes an effective small-scale composter. Drill 20-30 holes in the bottom and sides for aerobic composting, or use a sealed bucket for bokashi fermentation. Bucket composters work well for apartments, small yards, and households producing up to 5 lbs of food scraps per week.

How long does it take to compost in a 5-gallon bucket?

Aerobic composting in a 5-gallon bucket takes 6-12 weeks depending on materials, temperature, and how frequently you turn the compost. Bokashi fermentation takes 2-4 weeks plus 2-4 weeks of soil burial. Worm composting produces usable castings in 2-3 months.

Does a compost bucket smell?

A properly managed compost bucket should have only a mild earthy smell. Strong odors indicate too much green material (nitrogen), insufficient oxygen, or excess moisture. Fix by adding more brown material (carbon) and turning the compost to introduce air.

What kind of bucket is best for composting?

HDPE (high-density polyethylene) buckets are the best choice for composting because HDPE resists acids, moisture, and temperature fluctuations without degrading. Food-grade buckets are ideal because they contain no harmful additives. Avoid using buckets that previously held non-food chemicals.

Can I use a bucket composter indoors?

Yes, particularly bokashi and worm composting systems which produce minimal odor when properly maintained. Aerobic composters can also be used indoors if you manage the brown-to-green ratio carefully and turn the compost regularly. Place the bucket on a tray to catch any drainage.

Key Takeaways

  • A 5-gallon bucket composter costs $5-15 and produces usable compost in 6-12 weeks
  • Drill 20-30 ventilation holes for aerobic composting, or use a sealed bucket for bokashi
  • Maintain a 3:1 brown-to-green ratio by volume for optimal decomposition
  • Worm composting processes 1-2 lbs of food scraps per week with 500-1,000 red wigglers
  • Bokashi fermentation can handle meat and dairy that traditional composting cannot
  • Always bury food scraps under brown material to prevent fruit flies and odors
  • HDPE buckets are the best material choice because they resist acids and moisture

Start Composting With Quality HDPE Buckets

PailHQ's M2 series 5-gallon pails are made from FDA food-grade HDPE, making them safe and durable for composting applications. The 90-mil wall thickness provides years of service even in outdoor conditions.

Shop 5-Gallon Pails | Request a Bulk Quote

Questions about selecting the right bucket for composting? Call us at 954-594-2108.

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