Materials that can be placed in a backyard compost pile include flowers, non-spreading weeds, wood chips and, when there is no danger of attracting pests, scraps such as eggshells and coffee grounds. Materials to be left out of compost piles include meat, cheese, treated lumber and diseased plants. Composting takes place in passive or active bins. Passive bins can be built using snow fence or chicken wire fastened in a circle or old wooden pallets joined together in a rectangle. Place the unit where it is convenient and add grass, leaves or garden materials that have been chopped or shredded.
Active bins require greater effort but produce higher-quality compost in a shorter time.
Three holding units are constructed using wood, wood and wire, or concrete blocks. Fill one bin with waste and then chop and moisten the layers to create hot compost. After five to 10 days, when the heat drops substantially, turn the pile into the next bin and start a fresh pile.