Full Circle Fresh Air Odor-Free Kitchen Compost Bin, Green Slate

Prior to the Full Circle Compost Collector, I would use a large plastic container to stuff compost into. It was inconvenient, attracted knats/flies, and left a mess in the container every time I dumped it. After doing this for awhile, I finally caved in and decided to look for a compost collector to make composting “more convenient”. After a lot of research, this composter seemed to be the best buy.Having not used any other composters, I can’t compare this composter to others, but I can share the upsides and downsides in my experience:UPSIDES (Pros)- Single button push releases lid, which has a spring to throw it open for quick access.- The air flow is nice and combined with the bags, help control odor/knats.- It’s not small like the container I used before, so I can go several days before having to remove the bag.- Because it uses bio-degradable bags, the unit stays fairly clean.DOWNSIDES (Cons)- Have to buy bags (but it also makes for easy transport to compost recycling bin).- The bags that come with the unit are OK, but a bit on the flimsy side. I use BioBags (3 Gallon Bags). The bags that come with the unit are only 2.5 Gallon and not as tough.- Difficult to wash by hand.CONSIDERATIONS- Check to make sure that your recycling center accepts meat bones/scraps and dairy products before using it for that.- Buy better bags than the unit came with. I have found the 3 Gallon BioBags to work best. Plenty big for unit.- You must use biodegradable bags with this unit. You can not use it without bags.IMPROVEMENTS I’D LIKE TO SEE- Better method of holding the bio-degradable bags. While the bar does a good job of holding the bag, it can sometimes be hard to work with.OTHERThis is the second unit I bought. With the first one, the spring that helps open the lid broke after one year of use. But I love the Full Circle Compost Collector so much that I didn’t hesitate to buy another one. However, if the spring in this one gives out within a year, then I’ll be forced to change my ranking. But for now, it is definitely a great 5-star composting bin in my eyes.Good luck and happy composting! Thanks for thinking of the environment. I’ll update any further experiences with this composter as needed.

I really love this composter. And I never imagined I'd be spending half an hour posting a laudatory review about it on Amazon, but here we are.I have had several experiences with composting. In my childhood home, we had a large backyard and a compost pit at the end of it. We could collect food in a plastic box near the sink, and would have to dump it every day because it would breakdown, smell, etc.. We didn't use a lid on the plastic container, but I later found out that it makes little difference, or perhaps the lid makes the fermentation worst (apparently anaerobic fermentation is notorious for producing noxious smells -- of the kind that attract fruit flies). Later, I learned other methods; someone I visited in San Francisco would collect compost in a container placed in the freezer, but this is not very convenient at all (taking your receptacle in and out of the freezer), and you need a large enough freezer.All of these experiences came to mind when my apartment complex finally got curb-side compost pick-up.I am glad I went for this composter (which, yes, assumes you are either going to throw the waste in a backyard compost pit, or in a organic waste trash can -- this will not turn your food into actual compost):- The opening mechanism is really great: you press the button, and the lid pops up wide open, and then can be shut with a nice satisfying click.- The lining mechanism is great too, and ensures the collection bag is neatly tucked and not visible.- There is no smell. None.- It's not an eyesore.- For moderate cooking, you can get away with emptying this every 2 or 3 day easily.Here are a few tips:- The air circulation feature is not a silver bullet. Yes, it will prevent the build up that generally attract insects, but you still have got to use common sense. I never had trouble (during the summer, in June, July and now soon August 2016) with fruit flies, except when I was dumb and put a couple decently ripe peaches out. Both the peaches in the fruit bowl, and later their remains in the composter, brought with them a plethora of fruit flies (fortunately these BEAPCO Fruit Fly Traps expedite them in short-order -- highly recommended!). So use your brain!- Same common sense prevails with regards to bag break down. The bags they provide are useless, but it is easy enough to get a 3-pack of BioBag, which fit perfectly. These are robust, but can get pierced very easily if you throw anything acidic: for instance, a lemon will burn right through the bag. My solution is to make sure I throw these types of things either nicely in the center, or I put the lemon rind on a piece of paper towel.- If you repeatedly have trouble with the bottom falling out, I recommend lining the bottom with a paper towel (it doesn't have to be wasteful, it could be a paper towel you used for something).Overall, I am very happy I got this.