Martha Stewart Indoor Compost Bin | Countertop Composting Bucket for Kitchen | .7 Gallon Capacity | Includes Filter | Plant Based Materials | Linen White

Martha Stewart branded compost bin is made from a sustainable plant based plastic.
I ordered this Martha Stewart Indoor Compost Bin | Countertop Composting Bucket for Kitchen | .7 Gallon Capacity | Includes Filter | Plant Based Materials | Charcoal compost bin to use in our kitchen; we live in NYC where composting has become the law, and we’re still getting used to it.I wasn’t delighted with the plain stainless steel compost bin we have, so I thought I’d try this Martha Stewart branded one instead. Usually I’ve been fairly pleased with her products; I was curious if the hemp liner would help with the smell from the compost bin. (I have a hyper developed sense of smell; no one else in the family is bothered by the compost bin, but I can sure smell it.)Unfortunately l I didn’t see a real difference in the smell, but I like the look of the sleek, charcoal bin. Having a second bin also gives me the chance to wash out one bin and let it dry in the sunshine in our tiny back yard; I can keep one bin going while cleaning the other one.This compost bin is made from Astrik; I didn’t know what that was, so I looked it up. It’s a plant based plastic made from polyactic acids from sugarcane or corn starch that’s blended with repurposed bamboo fibers. It makes a plastic that’s dishwasher and microwave safe. It looks and feels just like any other plastic; the bin is lightweight and sturdy.I wish the top fit more tightly; I like the handle for carrying this outside, but I worry that I might spill. We use this with compost bin bags. The lid has a hemp liner; it’s good for two months, then should be replaced.I gave this four stars; there were things I liked a lot, like the charcoal color, and the “tiny garbage can” design. But there were things I would have changed; I wish the top were tighter or closed more securely, and I’d like a bit more control over the compost smell. A tighter lid might have helped with the scent, as well.At the current price ($49.99) this seems a bit spendy; I know there’s a premium on the Martha Stewart name, and usually when I buy her products, I feel like I’m getting a bit extra; it’s specially designed, or aesthetically pleasing, or there’s some other added value. Almost $50 for a plastic compost bin seems a bit overpriced to me. I was very pleased to have the chance to review this through the Vine program, but this would be outside my family’s budget, normally.I like having a second compost bin, I like the tiny little Oscar the Grouch garbage can look of this bin, and I liked learning about what Astrik was. But I’m afraid this was just a good compost bin, not a great one. It could make a cute ice bucket, too—but definitely not after you use it for compost. I like the idea of the small, grey colored Oscar style trash can for an ice bucket, maybe on a NYC balcony (fire escape) with a tiny little bar set up.

Great Looking, Doesn’t Stink
We’ve had a countertop compost bin in the past and my wife hated it. It attracted flies and seems like it was always going too long before being cleaned out. We’re currently only using this when we have guests over, which is often, and kids don’t eat all their food. That way it gets unloaded to the chickens immediately after the meal (usually Sunday lunch) and then cleaned and put away until next time. Cleaning is simple enough by hand, though I do with it was dishwasher safe. It is, really, but the heat isn’t good for the bin and especially not for the handle. But it looks great and serves a valuable purpose…turning scraps into delicious yard eggs.