Something I've always wondered is if the BPA in plastic like the Cambro solution would leach to compost and then get in the garden/food? I just bought a glass jar with a lid (made by Anchor for about $18). I think there might be BPA in the lid ring but not the container itself. Does anyone have any actual facts about this stuff? I just avoid plastic at all costs but I am curious about my BIG compost bin, should I BUY stainless or re-use an old trash can?

@Clode the answer is yes plastic will leach into the soil. However most plants are excellent at filtering toxins from the soil and water, which is why we don't die when we eat garden food that has been exposed to all sorts of chemicals. Can all plants do this? No. But most plants filter some toxins at least. I would avoid plastic simply because the biphenols (not just BPA) are dangerous, and plastic breaks more easily then damages the environment.

But don't buy virgin wood or paper products because of the same reason - we need forests to filter our air and soil. Your question really seems to be which material is most inert - steel certainly will last longer than plastic, and may be relatively inert as a chemical, but you should double-check. From what I understand, glass is the most inert of all.

I bet stainless steel is next on the list, but again, look it up.

thank you! :)