Thinking about building a worm composting bin?
Really, it's not as complicated as it might seem. If you can drill a few holes and tear up some newspaper (or any other cardboard or paper you have lying around), you’re good to go.
No need to have a green thumb or be a DIY pro.
All you need is a bit of time, some space, a few basic supplies, and some red wigglers—the worms that will do all the hard work of turning your kitchen scraps into rich compost.
In this article, I’ll show you exactly how to build your own worm composting bin, step by step. It’s a simple project that you’ll be glad you started.
Let’s get into it!
Benefits of a Worm Composting Bin

Before we get into how to build your worm composting bin, let’s take a second to think about why it’s worth doing in the first place.
Reduces Food Waste
If you’re tired of tossing out leftover fruit peels, veggie scraps, and coffee grounds, this bin gives you a way to recycle them into something useful. It feels good to know you’re cutting down on waste and putting those scraps to better use.
Makes Good Compost
The castings (aka poop) that worms produce are gold for plants. Worm compost is packed with nutrients that help plants grow better. It’s like giving your garden a natural fertilizer—without the chemicals.
Saves Money
If you’ve been buying compost or fertilizer regularly, a worm bin will save you from that ongoing cost.
Once you’ve got the system set up, you’ll be producing your own nutrient-rich compost without spending a dime on store-bought versions. Your worms will be doing the hard work for you.
Improves Soil
Worm compost doesn’t just help your plants grow; it also makes the soil healthier. The worm castings improve the soil, making it easier for plants to take root and stay strong.
The soil will also retain moisture and nutrients better, helping your plants thrive.
Helps the Environment
Food waste sitting in landfills creates methane gas, which harms the environment. Worm composting helps prevent that by recycling food scraps in a way that’s good for the planet.
So, not only does worm composting benefit your garden, but it also reduces waste, saves you money, and supports a healthier planet. It’s a win all around.
Gathering Your Materials
Alright, here’s what you’ll need to get started. Most of these items are easy to find, and you probably already have some lying around your house or garage.
Plastic Bin(s)
This is where your worms will live, so you need something sturdy. You can use one large bin or stack smaller bins to create a multi-level setup.
The bigger the bin, the more worms you can fit (and the more compost they’ll make). A 10–20-gallon bin is perfect for beginners.
Tip: Make sure the bin is opaque (not clear). Worms are light-sensitive, and clear bins let in too much light, which could stress them out. Plus, an opaque bin is easier to tuck away in your garage or basement.
Drill
You’ll need a drill to make holes in the bin for airflow and drainage. Proper ventilation helps your worms breathe and prevents excess moisture buildup—both essential for a successful setup.
Bedding
Worms need a comfortable space to live, so you’ll need to line the bottom of the bin with bedding.
Newspaper, cardboard, or shredded leaves work best. Just make sure to moisten it first—worms don’t like dry, dusty bedding.
This bedding serves as both a habitat for the worms and a food source for them to munch on.
Worms
You can’t have a worm composting bin without the worms, right?
You’ll need red wigglers (Eisenia fetida), which are the best for composting. (Regular garden worms won’t cut it, sorry.)
Red wigglers are excellent at breaking down organic waste into nutrient-rich compost and thrive in composting bin conditions.
Pro Tip: You can find red wigglers at garden stores, online, or even from a fellow composter in your area. They’re worth tracking down—they’ll work wonders in your bin.
7 Steps in Building Your Worm Composting Bin
Alright, now it’s time to roll up your sleeves and actually build your worm composting bin.
I’m not going to bore you with complicated instructions or make this sound like some big DIY project that takes days to complete.
Instead, we’re keeping it chill and straightforward. I promise, you don’t need to be a pro to pull this off.
Just follow these steps, and before you know it, you’ll have a comfy little home for your worms and a fresh start to composting.
1. Choose Your Bin

The bin is the base of your worm composting system.
It’s where everything comes together, so it’s important to pick one that works for you. You don’t need anything extravagant—just something durable and practical.
Plastic storage bins (make sure it’s opaque) are a solid option, and something in the 10 to 20-gallon range is a great starting point.
If you plan on composting a lot of food scraps, a bigger bin will give you more space to work with.
What size should you choose?
- If your kitchen or garden space is small, a smaller bin will do just fine.
- If you generate a lot of food scraps (or just want to produce more compost), a bigger bin might be the better choice.
You can repurpose old bins from your attic or garage, or grab one from a home improvement store.
2. Drill Ventilation and Drainage Holes
Worms need some air to breathe, and your bin also needs to drain extra moisture to avoid getting too soggy.
To make this work, grab your drill and make a few small holes in the bottom of the bin.
These drainage holes are important because they let water escape, so your worms don’t end up drowning if things get too wet.
Then, drill a few holes along the sides near the top.
These are for ventilation, so your worms get the fresh air they need to keep going. You don’t have to overdo it (just a few holes will do).
3. Prepare the Bedding
The bedding forms the base of your worm composting bin. It’s essential for giving the worms a place to move around, lay eggs, and feed.
Here’s how to get it ready:
Shred some paper

Grab some newspaper or cardboard and tear it into small strips. If you have a shredder, even better! You can also mix in some leaves if you have them—worms enjoy a little variety.
Moisten it
Once you’ve shredded the paper, add water to make it damp but not soaking wet. The bedding should be moist enough to keep the worms comfortable, but not dripping. If it’s too dry, they won’t like it; if it’s too wet, it can lead to mold and other issues.
Layer it up
Add about 4–6 inches of this damp bedding to the bottom of your bin. This will create a nice, soft space for your worms to settle into.
4. Add the Worms

Once your bedding is set, it's time to introduce the worms. Gently place them on top of the bedding—there’s no need to bury them. Worms instinctively burrow down on their own, searching for food and a comfortable place to settle.
How many worms?
A good starting point is about 1 lb of worms per square foot of bin surface—which is roughly 1,000 worms if you need an estimate.
Just make sure there’s enough space for them to move around and break down food scraps efficiently.
- If they’re quickly converting everything into compost, that’s a great sign!
- If the bin starts feeling too crowded, you can always add more worms as needed.
Once they’re in, they’ll take care of the rest!
5. Add the Food Scraps

Worms love food scraps, and they’ll happily eat most plant-based kitchen waste. Just remember, they’re not picky eaters, but there are a few things you should avoid.
What to Feed
Stick to fruit and veggie scraps like apple cores, banana peels, coffee grounds, carrot tops, and other veggie bits. The worms love these, and they break down easily, keeping your bin active. You can also throw in crushed eggshells to help the worms digest their food.
What NOT to Feed
Keep meat, dairy, and oily foods out of the bin. These will make the bin stink and attract unwanted bugs. Also, avoid citrus fruits (like oranges or lemons) and onions—they’re too acidic for the worms and can upset the balance in the bin.
How to Feed
Chop up your scraps into smaller pieces to help the worms break them down faster. Don’t just toss everything in at once. Instead, bury it under the bedding to avoid attracting flies.
Add food scraps gradually and let the worms finish what’s already in there before adding more.
6. Cover the Bin
Once the food scraps are in, put the lid on the bin. You want to keep things dark and warm for the worms (they’re not fans of light.)
The lid will help keep moisture in and pests out, so it’s an important part of the setup.
What kind of lid?
You can use the lid that comes with your bin, or if you don’t have one, a breathable cloth or towel will work too. Just make sure the lid isn’t sealed too tightly—worms need air to breathe.
The lid should let in a little air while keeping moisture in and light out. Check it now and then to make sure the cloth doesn’t get too wet or damp.
7. Maintain the Bin
Now that your worm composting bin is set up, it’s mostly a matter of giving it a little attention here and there.
It’s low-maintenance, but you still need to check in every now and then to make sure everything’s going smoothly.
How do you check the moisture?
Every so often, feel the bedding. If it’s dry, sprinkle a bit of water on it. If it’s too soggy, add some dry bedding to balance things out. The worms like it moist, but not like a sponge drowning in water.
What about the food scraps?
Keep adding food scraps to the bin, but don’t overdo it. You don’t want to pile them up too high or too often. Move the scraps around a bit to mix things up, and give the bedding a little stir occasionally to help everything break down.
Where to Keep the Bin
Where you keep your worm composting bin is important. You want it in a spot that stays between 55–77°F (13–25°C) since that’s the temperature range worms prefer.
Good locations include the basement, garage, or even under your kitchen sink—just keep it away from direct sunlight, as worms aren’t fans of light.
Avoid placing it somewhere that gets too hot or too cold, like in direct sunlight or a freezing space.
It should be easy to access for feeding and checking in, but also comfortable for your worms.
As long as the bin is in a cool, well-ventilated spot, you won’t have to worry about any unpleasant smells.
What to Do if the Bin Starts Smelling
If your bin starts smelling, it’s usually a sign that something’s off, like too much moisture or the wrong food.
To fix it, first check the moisture level. If it’s too wet, add more bedding (like shredded newspaper or cardboard) to soak up the excess moisture. This helps balance things out.
Also, make sure you’re not overfeeding the worms. If leftover food starts to rot, it can cause an odor.
Try burying the food scraps deeper in the bedding and give the worms time to catch up.
Lastly, if the smell persists, mix up the bedding a bit to improve airflow and reduce the odor.
Regular maintenance should keep things fresh, but if you notice ongoing issues, it may be a sign to adjust how you're managing the bin.
AND THAT’S IT!
I hope this guide makes it easier for you to get started with worm composting!
It’s one of those things that takes a little effort but is definitely worth it in the end. I think you might enjoy it too once you see how simple it is.
If you’ve tried it or are thinking about giving it a shot, I’d love to hear your thoughts or any tips you’ve picked up along the way.
Feel free to leave a comment below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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