For a good location, it should be out of sight and out of smell. The smell of green waste and yard debris breaking down is not pleasant. While you want your compost pile out of nose s range, it shouldn t be too far off in relation to the rest of your property. After all, you are going to be hauling leaves, grass and other debris to it. You should also remember that, believe it or not, a compost dump can be a fire hazard.
Materials breaking down can get extremely hot in the chemical process.
Anyone who s picked up an old pile of grass clippings knows. Just be sure your pile isn t going to touch any structures. Other than that, anywhere out of site, tucked in a corner or behind trees is great. It doesn t matter whether it s shaded, sunny, protected, etc. Nature will do its thing anywhere as long as it s outside.