HOTBIN Basics

Cut what you send to landfill and turn kitchen and garden waste into dark, crumbly compost in 30–90 days. That’s the HOTBIN: simple, tidy, and surprisingly quick. Learn the science behind How HOTBIN Works and see how it supports a more sustainable planet.

What Is It?

HOTBIN is a highly insulated compost bin designed to run hot, typically around the 40 to 60°C, so microbes stay busy and waste breaks down significantly faster than in a cold compost heap. The sealed body and built-in filter help manage odours, so you can compost confidently without the usual smells. For a deeper dive explanation of how HOTBIN works, have a read of HOTBIN composting science or check out the informative PDF's in our HOTBIN Download Centre.

So, What Goes In?

More than you might think. Alongside leaves, prunings and grass, you can add cooked leftovers, eggshells, stale bread, fish, meat and small bones. Pet bedding and manures (e.g. chicken), plus dog waste and some cat litters can also be processed when the bin is running hot over 40°C. See the full lists of 170 Things You Can Hot Compost or explore our Will it Compost Blog.

How Quick Is The Composting?

At hot composting temperatures you’ll see a mulching grade of compost in around 30 days and a rich, general purpose, ready-to-use compost in 3 month (about 90 days).

For context: what can take 12 to 24 months in a cold heap can take just 13 weeks in a HOTBIN. There’s no turning or tumbling, just feed little and often, and let the high temperatures do the work.

Why Consider a HOTBIN?

  • Fits your space: HOTBIN 100L or 200L are roughly the size of a wheelie bin, if you have more waste consider the larger HOTBIN Mega (450L or 700L), it's for batch composting if you want to scale up, Compare the HOTBIN Range here.

  • Get year-round results: Expanded polypropylene (EPP) walls lock in the heat, keeping things active through the colder months. HOTBIN doesn't need to be in the sun to work, so you are not restricted in where you can locate your HOTBIN.

  • Independently recognised: Tested by Garden Organic and voted Product Innovation of the Year by Grow Your Own readers. Explore our case studies.

  • Made responsibly: Manufactured in the UK from 100% recyclable EPP

Composting shouldn’t be a faff. Keep the heap balanced (with a mix of greens and browns), add shredded paper to absorb excess moisture, and bulkier items like prunings, woodchip and torn up egg boxes for airflow and you’ll be harvesting home-made compost before you know it. 

Ready to begin? See how to start my HOTBIN, or feel free to contact us to speak with a HOTBIN expert if you need any advice or just a helping hand.

We are here with you every step of you hot composting journey!