Bamboozle Astrik Kitchen Compost Bin Review: The Eco-Friendly Compost Bin for Those Being Eco-Friendly (Updated)

Bamboozle Astrik Kitchen Compost Bin Review

Not every technology begins with a chip or software. The Bamboozle Kitchen Compost Bin is organic technology. The bin is made of Polylactic Acid, or PLA, a biodegradable thermoplastic (see, technology!) derived from plant-based materials like bamboo, corn starch and sugarcane rather than fossil fuels. The plastic is microwave-safe, dishwasher-safe, and BPA-free.

All of the family food scraps now end up in the Bamboozle Kitchen Compost Bin, with nary a scent escaping as they await relocation to the large compost bin in the garage. While we compost, we don’t do so ourselves. Our community supports large-scale composting, and we contribute everything from apple peels and fish skin to grass clippings and fallen branches.

Bamboozle Astrik Kitchen Compost Bin on Bamboozle

This is what a true 5-star sustainable product looks like. For most technology reviews, I have to focus on packaging, perhaps the use of some recycled materials. For the Bamboozle Astrik Kitchen Compost Bin, sustainability starts with biodegradable materials which take much less energy to create―and it goes through to packaging and is completed with a meaningful end-of-life plan. Years from purchase, when the Bamboozle Astrik Kitchen Compost Bin is ready to retire, just aim it at an industrial compost pile and move on. The composting PLA will break down into water, carbon dioxide and organic matter.

What we like

Pros

• Compact and light-weight
• 100% biodegradable

The 7” x 7” x 8.75” compost bin is designed to sit on the counter. Ours does not, but that is about function rather than design. For a compost bin, the Bamboozle bin is a looker! At $50, it is more expensive than bargain basement bins, but its combination of sustainable and functional design make it a statement investment rather than a purchase of convenience.

The bin includes a vented lid that houses a hemp filter to keep odors contained and speed up the composting process. The bin comes in several colors, all of which sport a bamboo handle.

We also do not put scraps directly into the bin, choosing rather to place the scraps into a biodegradable bag. That bag keeps the bin fresher and eliminates the need to wash it with each use. Every composter has their personal scrap rituals. The Bamboozle Astrik Kitchen Compost Bin accommodates and complements any set of composting rituals.

Before acquiring the Bamboozle Astrik Kitchen Compost Bin, we used a compostable bag draped into a dishwashing soap bin. It worked, but it was neither classy nor smell-free. The Bamboozle Compost Bin brings class, reduces the odor of decomposing bits, and the ethics of its design and manufacturing make it a feel-good buy as well.

What could be improved

Cons

• No extra filter in the box
• Hardware issues: screws gets loose on handle, and hard to remove filter (updated)

I like the hemp filter, which should be replaced every couple of months. It does its job to reduce the smell of decomposing contents of the bin. At $15 a six-pack of filters are not expensive, but I’d like to see Bambozzle include at least one extra filter in the box.

(Paragraph added 09-May-2025) I would love to see Bamboozle take another look at their hardware. The handle swings back-and-forth, which loosens the screws. They can come flying apart when picking up the container, without warning. I suggest tightening them with every bag change or when otherwise emptying the container. I also did my first filter replacement. The screws method is not elegant. It metal against plastic, which takes effort to undo, which isn’t bad, it just feels under engineering. Some “no hardware” solution would seem like a better solution, something with clips that keeps the filter in place, but doesn’t require tools to change it..

Bamboozle Astrik Kitchen Compost Bin: The bottom line

The Bamboozle Kitchen Compost Bin is a well-designed, sustainable product made from biodegradable PLA, derived from plant sources like corn starch and sugarcane. It is compact, lightweight, and odor-reducing, making it both functional and stylish for composting food scraps. The bin is durable, BPA-free, and dishwasher-safe. While more expensive than other options, its eco-friendly design and material make it a worthwhile investment.

Bamboozle provided the Astrik Kitchen Compost Bin for review. Images courtesy of Bamboozle unless otherwise noted.

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