From the page: The water jug still holds plenty of life
Idea 4
Compost leachate reservoir
In home composting, leachate is the dark liquid that seeps from the decomposing material — and for decades apartment composters have adapted jugs to capture it without mess. It works because bacterial decomposition releases water and dissolved nutrients, such as nitrogen and potassium, which flow downward and can be diluted and used as liquid fertilizer for plants.
What you need
- A 5 L water jug with its cap
- A hole punch or heated nail
- A bucket composter with a small spigot or a hole in the base
- A funnel (or the cut-off upper neck of the jug itself)
- Gloves for handling
How to make it
-
1
Rinse the jug and keep the cap on, because the reservoir needs to stay closed so it doesn't attract insects or release odor.
-
2
Position the jug right below the composter's hole or spigot, on the floor or on a low stand, making sure it's stable so it doesn't tip over when full.
-
3
Make a funnel-shaped cut in the neck of another jug or use a regular funnel at the entrance, so the leachate flows straight in without splashing.
-
4
Every two or three days, check the accumulated level and empty it, since liquid sitting too long starts to ferment and create a bad smell.
-
5
Dilute the leachate at a ratio of 1 part to 10 parts water before watering your plants — pure, it is too concentrated and can burn the roots.
Finishing touches
Store the diluted leachate in labeled plastic bottles and use it within a week to keep the nutrients alive. If the liquid comes out with a very strong smell, leave the composter's lid half open for a day: the decomposition is probably lacking air.
This is one of the ideas from the full page — see all the possibilities.
This page feeds the collective knowledge 🌱 — every discovery makes the next answer better.