7 Best Countertop Compost Bins for Every Space

Countertop compost bins are

becoming increasingly popular. You can even find them at Target and other

big-box retailers! And that's great news for the planet: The more people who compost their

food scraps, the less

food waste there is sitting in landfills.

The best part about at-home composting is how accessible and easy it is. Long gone are the days of needing a

big backyard composting bin in order to make a difference. Now, there's something for everyone and every space—specifically compact options that blend in with your other appliances.

"Composting is one of the most impactful things that we can do for the planet," said Kylie Byrd, the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials communications specialist at 

Eco-Cycle, told Brightly. "It's a very flexible thing you can do with the space you have available and with pretty much any budget whatsoever."

Considering 70 billion pounds of food waste enters landfills every year, there's no better time than now to start solving the issue at home. First, that's using tips and tricks that prevent

bananas,

bread,

strawberries,

cucumbers, and other foods from going bad. Then, try

incorporating veggie scraps into your recipes that would otherwise go to waste.

But no one is perfect, and we're all left with scraps that can't be saved. That's where these countertop compost bins come in. Whether you prefer to keep it simple with a standard bin or want to go

high-tech with an electric option, these top-notch picks have been tested and vetted by the Brightly team.

This compost bin is made of biodegradable and durable bamboo fibers, making it last for years to come—and giving it a low-impact end-of-life when its composting days are over. It comes complete with a breathable lid, odor-blocking carbon filter, and slim bamboo handle. Plus, it's so cute you'll want to put it on display.

Why We Love It: If you're afraid of weird smells from compost bins, don't be. The Brightly team says this composter will completely eliminate the phantom compost smell from your kitchen. We also love that it's completely dishwasher-safe, making cleanup easier than ever.

With one press of a button, this electric composter transforms all of your food scraps into a "nutrient-rich dirt." It's similar to how earthworms break down and mix plant tissue into soil—but, this time, there's no smell and mess, included.

Why We Love It: The Lomi is pricey—there's no doubt about that. But

after giving it a try, we've gotta say... it's worth every cent. We love that it's easy to use, faster than traditional composting, and super compact—especially for an electric composter. The price is the only downside, but our team says it's a great option for a family or roommates who want to split the bill.

Picking up a compost bin is as easy as adding it to your cart at Target. This metal option has a vented lid to prevent rotting. It also has a metal handle that makes it easy to carry, and its compact size works in any kitchen, whether you want it under your sink or on the counter.

Why We Love It: We want composting to be accessible to all, and having an option available right at Target is a huge win for the planet. This is the perfect pick for a beginner who's ready to start taking small steps that better the environment.

Simplehuman is known for its sleek trash cans. Now, you can add this compost caddy to the mix, too. It has a soft-seal lid to keep odors under control, a coating infused with an EPA-registered antimicrobial agent that fights off bacteria, and compostable custom-fit liners.

Why We Love It: If you already have a Simplehuman trash can, this caddy can attach right to the side with its magnetic docking system. Instead of putting food scraps in the trash, it's right there to use as an alternative, building eco-friendly habits in the kitchen. You can also keep it on the counter for easy access when you're cooking.

Vitamix entered the composting space with its high-tech FoodCycler. Throughout the week, you can leave the bucket on the counter, making it easy to toss in your food scraps. That includes fruit cores, vegetable peels, dairy, chicken bones, and more. Thanks to the carbon filter lid, you won't even have to worry about smells.

Why We Love It: Once this bin is full, all you need to do is place the bucket in the unit and press start. From there, it will dry and grind up the food. By the time the cycle is done, the food waste will be a tenth of its original volume. We love storing it in an airtight container to use as a

nutrient-rich fertilizer in our gardens!

This isn't your typical

worm composter. It's pretty much a piece of art. Drop your food scraps into the opening, and the worms will gobble them up, processing over two pounds of food a week.

Why We Love It: Aside from how beautiful this countertop compost bin is, we also love how much thought went into making it. The designers collected data for two years to figure out the best shape for worm health and human convenience, and this was the end result.

Reencle is the latest composter to take at-home composting to the next level. While it's larger than other options, it's worth finding the space. It's quiet, efficient, and makes combating food waste a breeze.

Why We Love It: There are many pros to using the Reencle, but the Brightly team loves that the initial microorganism bed can be used forever. It also breaks down food easily, producing nutrient-rich soil for your garden or houseplants.