[IngaLisa]

I think the compost bin is supposed to have holes in it for circulation of air. We have a 4 by 4 foot bin that is simply wire nailed to 2x4s with no bottom. We open the gate and dig out what we need from the bottom of the pile when we need fertilizer. The bottom is in contact with the ground. We get a little smell but nothing that some one would find real offensive. The bin leeches a lot of nutrients straight into the ground. I have some strawberries growing not far away that are enormous.

Neighbors can be a pain. It's too bad they don't get it. Try adding some holes like suggested, open the bottom of that bin to the soil, and see if that doesn't help. Offer them some produce from your garden and maybe then they will appreciate the compost bin more.

 

[IngaLisa]

Those ball things are cool. I wish I had one like that. We compost a lot of garden waste, so, really just one ball wouldn't do it. I would need 2, but they are cool any way. I belong to a sustainability group and one year we made rain barrels and compost bins to sell. I also built one for myself from what I learned. We just have a wood frame with welded wire and a gate. I think the trick to keep odor down is keeping air in it, turning it a lot, and don't put in anything with a 'face'. Keep it vegetarian.