The average American family throws away 20 pounds of food a month. This is the equivalent of stumbling upon a buried pirate’s chest full of jewels and gold doubloons–and then leaving it there to rot.
A kitchen compost pail is the solution. Look for one with a wide mouth (to make it easy to throw in scraps of all sizes); a tight-fitting lid (to trap odors inside), and a handle (or handles) for easy transport to the backyard compost bin.
Here are 10 simple and sturdy countertop compost pails for a kitchen:
![A large \1.3-gallon Compost Bin With Plastic Liner is dishwasher safe; \$\29.99 from Amazon.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/compost-bin-plastic-liner-cooler-kitchen-amazon-733x528.png)
![A black \1-gallon Ceramic Compost Keeper by Norpro is \$\2\2.89 at Amazon.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/compost-pail-bucket-black-norpro-amazon-733x560.png)
![A white Hudson Compost Caddy is \$£\23.99 at UK-based All Green.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/white-compost-bucket-countertop-father-rabbit.png)
![Bamboozle\2\17;s bamboo Composter is available in two colors, including graphite as shown; \$39.99 at Crate & Barrel.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/bamboo-countertop-composter-bamboozle-733x516.png)
![The elegant ceramic Compost Crock from Garden Trading looks almost like a cookie jar; £35.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/garden-trading-compost-ceramic-crock-733x461.jpg)
![For a more modern look, try this Mixed Metals Compost Crock with copper and stainless steel parts; \$\29.95 at Gardener\2\17;s Supply Company.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/mixed-metals-compost-crock-733x437.jpg)
![Natural Home\2\17;s Ceramic Compost Bin comes in red, white, and charcoal; \$34.99 at Bed, Bath & Beyond.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/natural-home-white-ceramic-compost-bin-733x450.jpg)
![We like the two-toned look of this Vintage Style Compost Bin from Lehman\2\17;s; \$\26.99.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/vintage-style-compost-bin-lehmans-733x480.jpg)
![A \1-gallon Brushed Stainless Steel Composter has a charcoal filter in the lid to absorb odors; it\2\17;s on sale for \$3\1.99 from Williams-Sonoma.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/compost-pail-bucket-stainless-steel-williams-sonoma-733x493.png)
![Garden Trading also sells a steel Compost Bucket with nickel-plated handles available in three colors including Clay as shown; £\20.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/compost-pail-bucket-straighter-clay-garden-trading.jpg)
- Your First Garden: The Surprising (And Best) Reason to Start Composting
- 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Compost
- For a built-in compost bin, see 5 Quick Fixes: In-Counter Compost Solutions.
- 10 Easy Pieces: Wooden Compost Bins
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