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Compost insert for trash cans: how it works and what fits

The easiest place to collect compost is the place you already throw things away. A compost insert puts a compost bin inside your pull-out trash can, so sorting happens in the same motion as tossing trash.

What a compost insert is

Most kitchen compost bins are separate containers: a small pail on the counter, a caddy under the sink, or an electric appliance. A compost insert takes a different approach — it lives inside the trash can you already use and partitions it. One side holds compost, the other holds your trash bag.

That matters because the hardest part of composting at home isn't the composting; it's the habit. When the compost bin sits right next to the trash, in the same cabinet, scraping a plate into the right side takes no extra thought and no extra steps.

Why put compost inside the trash can

• No counter space. Countertop pails take up prep space and are always in view. An insert is hidden in the cabinet.
• No extra bags. Many countertop bins need special compostable liners. CompostFit uses the trash bag you already buy, and the compost side needs no liner at all.
• Room for real kitchen waste. Small pails are built for peels and coffee grounds. California's SB 1383 also covers paper plates, napkins, paper towels and food-soiled cardboard. CompostFit's opening fits full-size paper plates laid flat.
• Sorting in one motion. Trash, compost and recycling all sit in the same pull-out, so the right choice is also the easy one.

For a side-by-side look at the options, see countertop compost bins vs. a trash can insert.

How CompostFit works, step by step

1. Expand the bin. CompostFit ships collapsed. Pull the bottom bin down until it clicks into place.
2. Set it in your trash bin. Lower CompostFit into your empty trash bin so the rim rests on the edge.
3. Tuck your bag under the rim. Put your trash bag in the bin, lift the rim, pull the edge of the bag underneath, and let the rim back down. Built-in teeth grip the bag and hold it in place.
4. Lift out to empty. Lift straight up by the rim and dump it into your green bin or compost pile. No flipping, no scraping.
5. Wash it in the dishwasher. Set it on the counter and press down on the rim until the bins unlock. Pull them apart and put both in the dishwasher.

Specs at a glance

Which trash cans it fits

CompostFit is made for the Rev-A-Shelf RV-35 and RV-50 — two of the most widely installed pull-out trash cans in North American kitchens. If your trash can slides out of a cabinet on a track, there's a good chance it's one of them.

The 10-second check: pull the can out of the cabinet and look at the center of its underside. Rev-A-Shelf stamps the part number there. If it reads Part No. RV-35 or Part No. RV-50, CompostFit fits. Our Rev-A-Shelf fit guide has photos of both stamps.

CompostFit doesn't fit other trash can models yet. More sizes are in development — request your trash can to join the interest list.

What goes in the compost side

Rules vary a little by city and hauler, especially for meat, bones and coated paper, so check your local green-bin guide if you're unsure. In a backyard compost pile, most people leave out meat, dairy and bones.

Tips for a clean, odor-free routine

• Empty it every few days. Scraps are what smell, not the bin. Lifting CompostFit out takes seconds, so empty it before it's packed.
• Put a paper towel or napkin in the bottom. It soaks up moisture and goes into the green bin with everything else.
• Run it through the dishwasher regularly. Separate the two pieces and wash them with your normal load.
• Drain liquids first. Pour off soup, juice and coffee before scraping the solids in.

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