The nice folks at Full Circle wanted me to give their kitchen compost collector a try and at the same time give you a chance to win one of your own. I know how much my readers love free stuff, but I won’t give away something before I have given it a thorough trial myself.
First, let’s take a look at what the Full Circle Fresh Air Odor-Free Kitchen Compost Collector brings to the table.
As you can see in the first photo (above), the design of the compost collector is simple and streamlined. It is a neutral color that will fit into most any kitchen décor without standing out.
One of my primary complaints about many of the compost collectors I have tried over the years is in keeping them clean. I had a beautiful bamboo contraption a few years back that worked wonders at controlling odors thanks to a carbon filter in the lid, but the plastic bin that held the kitchen waste would also hold odors and require a lot of work to get the smell to go away.
With the Full Circle Fresh Air Odor-Free Kitchen Compost Collector, that problem has been solved with the inclusion of a waste bag system. Now you just add a bag just like you would to your garbage bin and fill it up. When it’s full, take the whole thing – bag and all – right to the compost bin outside.
Oh, didn’t I mention that the large capacity 2.5 gallon Full Circle bags are completely compostable? How cool is that? These bags are made from corn starch! One word of caution regarding the use of compostable bags: they begin to break down as soon as they come in contact with moisture, so you will need to be careful when removing and transporting your bag to the compost pile as it just might leak a bit depending on how long you have allowed your kitchen waste to collect.
Here’s a shot of what the inside of the bin looks like when the compostable bag is in place. You can see that a metal ring holds the bag securely in place.
Okay, so we know the Full Circle Fresh Air Odor-Free Kitchen Compost Collector looks good and we know that they take environmental responsibility seriously. The real question that was on my mind was how well does it work?
This bin has no carbon air filter. In fact, there is no traditional air filter at all. My fear going into this trial was that it was going to look great on the counter but do nothing to keep odors and flies at bay. To test it out on those two points, I added all of the compostable material from a recent dinner prep. That included avocado skins and mango, both known to attract flies and gnats, and onion, obviously because it can stink up a storm if left out.
We have been using the Full Circle Fresh Air Odor-Free Kitchen Compost Collector regularly for a week now, and I intentionally left those items shown above in the bin to see just how well this little beauty would handle odors. The results are impressive. Outside of the bin there are absolutely no odors. Zero. To smell anything at all, I had to press my nose to the perforated lid, and even then there was barely any notable odor.
My verdict? This is one well-made compost collector. It is low profile, doesn’t stand out on the counter, and it does an incredible job at keeping odors down. As an added bonus, the compostable bags go a long way toward keeping things clean and tidy in the kitchen without adding any environmental guilt.
Now that you know how great this thing is, I bet you’re ready to win one of your own, am I right? Here’s all you have to do:
What’s the prize?
One Full Circle Fresh Air Odor-Free Kitchen Compost Collector
MSRP $34.99
How do I enter?
To enter, leave a comment on this blog post. A valid email address is required for notification of the winner.
Who can enter and how often?
No purchase necessary. This sweepstakes is open to entrants in the United States aged 18 and above. One entry per person, all duplicate entries will be voided.
What is the deadline for entries?
The deadline for sweepstakes entries is Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at 11:59pm ET.
{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
This looks like the perfect compost collector for my family. I love that there are no odors. That’s been a big concern for us. The size is just right too.
This looks like a great item. I currently use a small “step-on” can, which works, but scrubbing the smelly plastic pail inside is no fun.
This would be perfect for my small kitchen!!!!
Yes, please! After having a small kitchen composter that stunk up a storm and was a breeding ground for fruit flies, we now use a bowl on the counter that I make the kids walk down to the compost pile every day. (Aren’t I a mean mommy?!) My children would love this compost bin–and so would I! Thanks for the great review and fun giveaway!
I’ve been thinking about getting something like this. I had another kind for a while, but I kinda dropped it and it very much broke.
we live in an urban region but do have a yard. we converted the back yard to a garden and just started a compost bin. this interior compost collector would make a great addition to our goals of reducing and re-using.
How neat! I like it that there aren’t any crevices for fruit flies to lay eggs. Cool design.
yes, please! It sounds marvelous. What we have now just isn’t cutting it- it smells, is hard to clean and attracts fruit flies if not emptied constantly. It’s basically a little porcelain bucket with a colored glass plate for a lid so we can see when it’s full. yuck!
This looks like a great counter top compost pail. My current model doesn’t control odors at all. A new pail would be a big help!
Sweet!
This would so be an improvement from my current bin. Currently I use an old ice cream bucket.
Ooh, I’ve always wanted to try composting… this would definitely get me started!
This kitchen compost collector not only looks attractive, it would be so much easier to keep clean. I like the idea of compostable bags.
I accumulate about a gallon every three days and would love to see if it could make a week.
I love the size of this compost bucket! I use a plastic bin that has a charcoal filter….but doesn’t keep the fruit flies away. I had a major fruit fly breakout and had to stop composting for awhile in my kitchen. :( Need to get back at it. Would love to win this compost bucket.
I had a ceramic container that we used, but dropped it and broke it by accident last week. The no-odor thing is a big plus, too!
Very cool! We have been searching for the perfect counter top container to recommend to our members… could this be the one?
While our members have never mentioned any smell using our CompostNow bin, we don’t want to take a chance. We have to make urban composting as clean, sexy, and simple as possible! :]
I compost, but don’t have a kitchen composter yet.this would save me from those dreaded night excursions to the compost bin, hoping I don’t come across any spiders!
Exactly what I need for my kitchen. No more daily runs to the bin even in the rain. Thanks!
I’m wondering what it might to do minimize the fly problem.
I never knew such a thing existed. I’ve had some gruesome smells from the plastic pail i keep out the back door.. Nasty business.
I have been looking into getting a counter compost pail. This one seems to be a great one!
Wow, I would much rather be putting that smelly stuff in an odor free composter than in the garbage! Very nice!
This would be a huge improvement to my current countertop container – an old tupperware bowl. Please consider me for the drawing!
Winning this composter would reduce my guilt for regularly forgetting to take my scraps to the community garden composter. They spend far too much time in fridge/freezer waiting for me to remember them. I would love to do this at home!
Would LOVE this! We tried using an old garbage can for compostables but it was too big and just taking up more room in the kitchen. This one looks great!! Thanks for the opportunity!
We currently use a small bowl to collect our scraps and have to take it to the compost pile on a daily basis to avoid smell. This still does not eliminate pesky fruit flies. What I like about this little contraption you’ve presented is the cornstarch bags, as well as the clean design. I’m digging the fact that clean up of the kitchen collection container is made less onerous of a task. I think I might feel spoiled by the ease and convenience of the bags! Regardless of whether I win the giveaway or not, I’m glad you exposed to me to this product. It just went in my “wish list” for the holidays :)
i have been hesitant to compost because of 1)the smell and 2) the fruit flies. I’d give it a shot with this collector. I have a new home and I can start small.
Definitely a step up from a couple of plastic bags inside a plastic coffee can.
I would love to win a composter that uses bio-degradable bags and doesn’t attract pesky flies. Thank you Michael Nolan for bringing an opportunity to win something so useful!!
We just started our vegetable garden. We would like to compost, and this would be perfect!
this looks awesome!
Oh, I like it so much! And my cracked gladware tub will be so happy to retire to the recycling bin. Ok, I will be happy for it to retire to the recycling bin (don’t tell it I said so).
I’m always skeptical of products like these because they seem somewhat gimmicky and flash-in-the-pan. This, though? This I would actually use. Huh.
This seems great for beginners and practiced composters. As a novice, it seems very user friendly!
Must. Win. This.
Love it! Only concern is the bags – how much are they and where can they be found? Online Only?
The bags are available .
i have one of these, and although it is indeed odor free, it does attract fruit flies. any idea how i can remedy this?
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