DIY Eco-Friendly Rainwater Barrel and Compost Bin

Did you know that June 5th is World Environment Day? I'm embarrassed to admit that I didn't until learning it was the theme for our Int'l Bloggers Club challenge this month. I hemmed and hawed on what I could do to commemorate the day before realizing, "wait a minute, I've already made it".



This was the perfect opportunity to share our DIY eco-friendly rainwater barrel and compost bin system at the side of our house. We've been collecting rainwater and composting food waste for years. Plus this was a great excuse to clean the outside of the barrels, spruce up the spigot, and do some weeding in this area of our small urban yard.



How to recycle a 50-gallon plastic container into an eco-friendly rain water barrel collection system plus how to compost in a small urban backyard.

DIY Rain Water Barrel and Compost Bin

The compost bin not only helps reduce landfill waste but provides rich organic matter for our raised garden beds, reducing the need for chemical fertilizer.



The rain barrel keeps our garden and bedding plants watered with fresh clean rainwater all summer long. What's even better about this eco-friendly urban backyard system is that it cost next to nothing to make and I'll show you how.



How to recycle a 50-gallon plastic container into an eco-friendly rain water barrel collection system plus how to compost in a small urban backyard.

If you haven't heard of our Int'l Bloggers Club, we are a group of blogging friends from around the globe who come together on the third Monday of every month to share a themed DIY project. Links to my uber-talented friend's world environment day projects are included further down in the post.



We have members from Spain, South Africa, Australia, the USA, and Canada. Last month for our black & white challenge I upcycled a handmade stacking keepsake box to use as a desk organizer in my home office makeover on a $400 budget.



How to recycle a 50-gallon plastic container into an eco-friendly rain water barrel collection system plus how to compost in a small urban backyard.

What is World Environment Day? Well, the first one was held in 1974 with the theme being Only One Earth. WED is celebrated every year on June 5th in more than 143 countries. The purpose is to encourage worldwide awareness and calls to action to protect our environment.



How to recycle a 50-gallon plastic container into an eco-friendly rain water barrel collection system plus how to compost in a small urban backyard.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to set up the rainwater collection barrel, almost all of the DIY projects shared here at Interior Frugalista have step-by-step tutorials so why not get your budget DIY on and subscribe. You can also follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.



So let's begin with the rain barrel. This post contains affiliate links so you can see what products I used or recommend for this project. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.



DIY Rain Barrel System

You may be wondering about the elaborate downspout system we have going on (pictured above). The reason why is because we couldn't put the rain barrel against the house. There is a "secret" gate beside the front gutter and a garden shed against the house beside the back gutter.



Ultimately, the best spot for a rain barrel is against the house near a downspout but we'll talk more about that further down in the post.



If you are going to use a reclaimed barrel, make sure it once contained food-grade, non-toxic liquids only. We got our reclaimed 50-gallon plastic water barrel for free and it used to be an industrial distilled water storage container.



Spigot Installation

The first thing you'll need to do is attach a rain barrel spigot kit to the barrel. To do this, drill a hole in the barrel a few inches from the bottom with a hole saw bit the same diameter as the spigot. Wrap the thread of the spigot with plumbing sealing tape and screw the valve into the barrel.



How to recycle a 50-gallon plastic container into an eco-friendly rain water barrel collection system plus how to compost in a small urban backyard.

Rain Barrel Platform

You want to raise the rain barrel so you can fit a watering can under the spigot. We used a reclaimed oak pallet for our platform. Other suggestions for rain barrel platforms are; concrete blocks, landscape ties, fence posts, or railroad ties.



Whatever you use it needs to hold the weight of a full barrel. For example, a 50-gallon barrel will weigh 420 lbs when filled with water. Set the rain barrel on the platform and we'll install the water overflow pipe next.



How to recycle a 50-gallon plastic container into an eco-friendly rain water barrel collection system plus how to compost in a small urban backyard.

Water Overflow Pipe Installation

For the water overflow valve, we used a 2-inch PVC pipe almost as long as the height of the barrel. You need to use a 2-inch hole saw bit and drill the hole a few inches from the top of the barrel.



Next, attach an elbow to the PVC pipe then cut a short piece to place on the opposite end of the elbow that will get fed through the hole. Attach a PVC plumbing coupling on the inside onto the short piece to hold the entire unit in place.



The overflow pipe will face down towards the ground. I should point out that all the PVC pipe joints were secured with PVC glue. Use silicone to seal around the pipe on the inside and outside of the barrel so no water can escape.



Place a gutter splash block underneath the overflow pipe to direct the water away from the house and wait for Mother Nature to fill your rain barrel.



You can hook up a garden hose to the spigot if it's more convenient but don't expect it to come pouring out like a regular house tap. I fill a couple of large watering cans at once to reduce the number of trips to the rain barrel.



How to recycle a 50-gallon plastic container into an eco-friendly rain water barrel collection system plus how to compost in a small urban backyard.

Downspout Connection

The downspout should be configured to reach the top of the barrel. You may need elbows to adjust the configuration, depending on the position of the barrel. The easiest placement is putting the rain barrel as close to the downspout as possible.



Wherever the downspout comes in contact with the lid, trace the end onto the lid and cut a hole with a jigsaw. Place the downspout into the hole.



How to recycle a 50-gallon plastic container into an eco-friendly rain water barrel collection system plus how to compost in a small urban backyard.

Rain Barrel Debris Collection

You will get debris from the downspouts and there are a couple of ways to deal with it.

  1. You can purchase a rain barrel diverter kit that attaches to the end of the downspout and filters the debris. Please note, this system will require a different connection to the rain barrel.
  2. Or you can do what we do and every so often, open the lid and scoop out the debris.


How To Winterize The Rain Barrel

If you live in a climate that gets below freezing, it's important you winterize your rain barrel in late fall before the first heavy frost. There are a few things you need to do.

  1. Empty the water from the barrel. This is a great opportunity to water in cedars and evergreens for the winter.
  2. While the barrel is empty, it's a good time to wash it out with a hose or power washer.
  3. Keep the spigot in the open position so water doesn't collect in the barrel during the winter.


Enjoy your new rain barrel! It's nature's way of fertilizing your flowers. Now let's move onto the compost bin and how to set it up and maintain it.



How To Set Up An Urban Compost Bin

What I love most about our compost bin is that we're helping reduce landfill waste. It's also a great way to ensure our garden has rich nutrient soil readily available without the use of chemical fertilizers.



Check with your local municipality to see if they have a compost bin program because you may be able to get a bin for free like we did. If not, I found some alternative outdoor compost bins.



How to recycle a 50-gallon plastic container into an eco-friendly rain water barrel collection system plus how to compost in a small urban backyard.

Food Waste Collection Tip

We keep a stainless steel compost pail (pictured above) under the kitchen sink to collect food waste, coffee grounds, eggshells, soiled paper towels, and napkins. It has a replaceable filter in the lid so it does not smell and there are many styles available as well as replacement filters.



What Can Go In A Compost Bin

Green Waste

  • Food scraps
  • Coffee grounds
  • Eggshells


Brown Waste

  • Soiled paper napkins and paper towels
  • Newspaper
  • Leaves
  • Plant clippings
  • Lawn clippings
  • Wood sawdust
  • Straw


What Should NOT Go In A Compost Bin

  • Meat
  • Dairy scraps
  • Dog, cat, or human feces
  • Diseased plant clippings
  • Chemically fertilized lawn clippings


How To Start A Compost Bin

  • Layer compost waste in a 1:2 or 1:3 green/brown ratio.
  • If you have more green waste than brown the compost will stink.
  • Start with a brown layer 4-6 inches thick.
  • Water a little to moisten the layers to help the decomposition process.
  • Scatter a little soil between layers to add more organisms.


How To Maintain A Compost Bin

  • Turn the compost pile with a compost aerator (ours came with the bin) once a week to keep the compost well aerated.
  • It's important to keep the compost moist by adding water.
  • Your compost should be hot and steamy when you open the lid.
  • You should have fresh rich nutrient soil within two months.


It's like Christmas morning when you open the bottom door of the compost bin to find the gift of beautiful dark rich soil just waiting to enrich your garden and flower beds.



Unfortunately, just weeks before deciding to write this post, I had emptied the most enriched soil on the bottom for our raised garden beds. Thankfully there was a little composted soil left at the bottom (pictured below) but not as enriched as the first batch. Hopefully, the latest brew will be ready in about a month.



How to recycle a 50-gallon plastic container into an eco-friendly rain water barrel collection system plus how to compost in a small urban backyard.

Thanks for stopping by the Interior Frugalista today! I hope you were inspired by these eco-friendly ideas for rainwater collection and urban composting. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comment section below or the Contact Me tab at the top to drop me an email. I love hearing from you!



If you enjoyed this eco-friendly gardening idea, I'd be so thankful if you shared it with a friend and pinned it to your Organic Gardening or Outdoor DIY Project Ideas board on Pinterest.




How to recycle a 50-gallon plastic container into an eco-friendly rain water barrel collection system plus how to compost in a small urban backyard. #rainbarrelsystem #rainwatercollection #organicgardening


How to recycle a 50-gallon plastic container into an eco-friendly rain water barrel collection system plus how to compost in a small urban backyard.#diyoutdoorprojects #compostbin #organicgardening


Now let's go see what my talented friend's made for our world environment day challenge by clicking each link below.



Int'l Bloggers Club World Environment Day Challenge

Kokedama Fairy Village | A Crafty Mix

Free Abstract Plant Printable | Northern Feeling

DIY Upcycled Old Paddle Paint Pouring | Raggedy Bits

Book Repurposed Into A Jewelry Box | Unique Creations By Anita

DIY Rain Water System and Compost Bin | Interior Frugalista (that's me)



I share my projects at these inspiring link parties.



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Comments

  1. Your compost bin and rain barrel system most definitely qualifies for world environment day Marie. Snd I'm so envious. We have a big compost heap that's been making all kinds of yumminess for the garden for years but I've always wanted a rain barrel system to help our garden out when we have water restrictions. Sadly we stay in a thatch roof house so it just doesn't work. Hey but a girl can dream and I'm going to figure something out one day. In the meantime I'll just perv over yours ;-)

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    1. I love that you live in a thatched roof home, Michelle. Being a Canadian girl it sounds so exotic. You could totally have a rain barrel without the downspouts. You just need to cut a hole on the top of a barrel and add a screen of some kind to collect the debris. If you press the water barrel link in the post, it takes you to other alternatives that would work for you. With your DIY savvy you could make a DIY version for your backyard. Your plants will love you for it!

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  2. What a great project and so environmently friendly. I have never thought seriously about putting a system like this in. I think I am a hero just watering my garden from the greywater from my washing machine.🤣 The compost bin could be tricky because I dont like veggies but I do have a huge amount of wood shaving that I need to get rid of. Will it work to add them to my grass cutting? I also like that your system looks so neat and tidy. Well done. 👏👏

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    1. I'm impressed that you take the effort to reuse the greywater in your washing machine to water plants, Anita! I'm so glad you mentioned wood shavings because I completely forgot to add that to the brown waste list. It's been added now. As long as they are added in layers WITH green (food) waste it's perfectly fine. You NEED green layers (so if you don't eat veggies then fruit peels or over ripe fruit) plus the others on the list.

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  3. Wow what an awesome set up you have there Marie!! Where we live we are on tank water but have been wanted to add something to water our garden with without taking from the water from the main tank. I think you may have just solved our problem! Thank you!

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    1. Awesome, Sam! A rainwater collection system sounds like a great choice for watering a garden and flower beds then. I know it can be pricey having water hauled for the water tank system.

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  4. These are brilliant ideas to use compost material and rainwater to care for your garden. When we setup the rain barrel we placed it on the ground. I wish I had read your advice on placing it on a stand first.
    Have a beautiful summer,
    Kippi

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, we love our little eco-friendly gardening system. It's not too late for you to raise your rain barrel when it's empty at the end of the season. You'll be glad you did. Have a beautiful summer back to you, Kippi!

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  5. This is super duper! I am saving to pinterest! Visiting from Kathrines!

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  6. Hello Marie, I love your set-up! Living in eco-concious Germany, we've always had a composte system going but it was only when we built our house that we were able to set up a water barrel too. I know my plants benefit more from being watered with natural rainwater rather than our very hard tap water. Your International Blogging club sounds like fun - such great projects!

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    1. I LOVE Germany! I visited for the first time a few years ago and absolutely loved every second I spent there. One of the things I admired most was your eco-conscious way of living. It is on my bucket list to return one day 😀

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  7. Always appreciate your visits, shares, and pins Marilyn! xo

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  8. Such great information. Thanks for sharing with us at Charming Homes & gardens Link Party.
    Rachel

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  9. Love this, I'll be sharing it on my blog, Facebook and Twitter when the next To Grandma's house we go link party starts. Thanks for sharing with us!

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    1. Woot woot, thank you so much for the feature, Tarahlynn! See you at the next party 😀

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  10. So excited to feature your post on this weeks Charming Homes & gardens Link Party. Look for your feature on Wednesday.
    Rachel

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    1. Thank you very much, Rachel, you made my day! See you on Wednesday 😃

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  11. I learned so much from you on this post. Thank you! So glad you shared this with the Charming Homes and Gardens Link Party!

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    1. I'm so glad you found this post helpful, Kim! Your comment made my day 😀

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  12. So well written and thoughtful--thank you, Marie. I am a hopeless gardener and need all the the help and hand holding I can get. Found you at the Charming Homes & Gardens party and so happy to discover the inspiration. :)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Michele, for popping over from the Charming Homes party to visit! I'm so glad you found my eco-friendly gardening system informative. Welcome 😊

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