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In the past, we’ve reviewed kitchen compost bins with thick lids and charcoal filters which eliminate all odors. They work well — but the filters need replacing every three months or so, which can add hassle and cost.
The Full Circle Fresh Air
Neat bin which uses airflow to minimise the risk of odors and eliminates the need for charcoal filters. My wife likes the always open lid, although I personally prefer bins which don't require bags
Key features
- Type: Countertop caddy with airflow ventilation
- Capacity: 1.5 gallons / 5.7 litres
- Material: Recycled plastic (BPA-free)
- Odor Control: Airflow ventilation (no filters needed)
- Assembly: None — ready to use out of the box
🌱 You’ll love the Full Circle Fresh Air if: You need 1.5 gallons for a family of 4, want no ongoing filter costs, like the modern design, and already use compostable bags.
Alternatives: Oxo Good Grips for easier one-handed use and smaller footprint, or Utopia / Epica stainless steel bins for premium build quality and no bag requirement.
Not sure if the Full Circle is your perfect match?
Compare it against our other favorites in the complete best kitchen compost bins guide.
First impressions: a slightly annoying start
When this arrived, my wife liked it immediately. Her first comment was that it “looked smart,” and she appreciated the rim around the edge that makes fitting bags easy and tidy.
What I noticed was the packaging on the outside promising five compostable bags, and the complete lack of bags on the inside. It’s a minor thing — bags are cheap, and we had plenty in the drawer. But I felt a little cheated, which didn’t make the best start to this review.
Design and build quality
The design is based around airflow. Unlike most
If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know that when you don’t have enough oxygen, organic material deteriorates anaerobically (literally “without oxygen”), which is what creates rot smells. However, when you have air flowing through, you are more likely to have aerobic (with oxygen) decomposition. The Full Circle aims to take advantage of this by ensuring air is flowing around the compost.
I tested this during winter, so I’ll reserve final judgment until the summer heat kicks in, but so far odor control has been excellent. I also like not having to remember to buy replacement filters every few months. However, do note that how well it performs may depend on the bag you are using – if the bag does not allow air to permeate, the effectiveness may be diminished.
Winter testing note
I tested this during winter months. Summer heat will be the real test for the airflow system — I’ll update with hot weather performance.
Like the Oxo Good Grips, it has a lid which will stay open when you are cooking, allowing you to quickly flick waste food into it. This is operated by a lever, but my wife actually prefers the Good Grips bin here, as it is easier to flip its lid open when you only have one hand free.
Build quality seems reasonable. It feels sturdy and well-made, and the recycled plastic construction gives it a solid feel. It’s not as substantial as the metal Epica or Utopia bins, and not quite as solid as the Oxo Good Grips either, but it doesn’t feel flimsy. However, when I researched this bin, I did notice one reviewer on Amazon noting that the push-button spring had broken.
Note there’s no handle with this, which makes it more awkward to carry than many of the other bins we have reviewed.
The bag limitation
This is the part that will matter most to serious composters. Because there are airflow holes in the base, you cannot use this bin without a compostable liner. If you tried to collect raw scraps directly (for example, to tip into a tumbler or worm bin), you’d get leaks coming out onto your kitchen top.
I prefer having the option of going liner-free as it reduces the need to buy compostable bags, many of which are not actually compostable in home conditions — or can leak if scraps are wet or are left too long. As it is, we only use it for scraps that we wouldn’t usually compost in winter, such as fish and meat bones.
Update: Last night I took the bag out to the porch, removed the bag – and found it had leaked over the floor. Of course, that’s the fault of the bag, not the device, but it isn’t a problem you get with solid compost bins.
Dishwasher proof: not that it matters
The Full Circle is dishwasher proof, but in practice, you barely need to put it in the dishwasher. Because it uses bags, it doesn’t usually get very dirty, and it’s easy to wipe down.
Fruit flies and summer performance
I didn’t specifically test this for fruit flies, but other reviewers have pointed out that the air holes are small enough to prevent flies getting in. Again, my testing has been in cooler months, so summer will be the real test.
Capacity: great for families
At 1.5 gallons, this is noticeably larger than the standard Oxo Good Grips, and my wife was pleased with the additional capacity. For our household of four, it holds about 3-4 days of scraps comfortably.
The verdict
This is a well-designed, good-value kitchen
However, you must use compostable liners, and the lack of a handle makes emptying slightly awkward. That’s not great for serious composters who prefer collecting scraps liner-free. On balance, I personally prefer the Oxo Good Grips for overall usability and the Utopia or Epica bins for build quality and style.
But if you need a larger capacity bin and want strong odor control without ongoing filter costs, the Full Circle Fresh Air might still be the right choice for you.
I’d give it a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Want to compare your options?
See how the Full Circle stacks up against other top-rated kitchen compost bins in our best kitchen compost bins roundup.
Full pros & cons
Technical details & specifications
See the full specs
Dimensions & capacity
- Capacity: 1.5 gallons / 5.7 litres
- Height: 9.5 inches
- Diameter: 7.5 inches
- Weight: Approximately 1.5 lbs (empty)
- My experience: Holds 3-4 days of scraps for our family of four comfortably
Design & build quality
- Material: Recycled plastic (BPA-free)
- Colors Available: White, Grey
- Lid Type: Push-button flip (stays open when cooking)
- Handle: None
- Unique Features: Airflow ventilation holes in sides and base eliminate need for charcoal filters
- Manufacturing Quality: Sturdy recycled plastic, well-made but not as premium as stainless steel options
Odor control system
- Method: Airflow ventilation through holes in sides and base
- Filter Included: No — filter-free design
- Replacement Cost: N/A (no filters to replace)
- My experience: Excellent odor control in winter testing; summer heat will be the real test
Cleaning & maintenance
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes (manufacturer claim)
- Actually Dishwasher Tested: No — unnecessary due to bag use
- Ease of Hand Washing: Very easy — quick wipe down sufficient
Bag compatibility
- Can Use Without Liner: No — holes in base make bags mandatory
- Bag Holder Feature: Rim around top edge keeps bag tidy
- Recommended Bag Size: 6-8 gallon compostable bags
- Important: Airflow design works best with breathable compostable bags
What’s included
- Full Circle Fresh Air bin with lid
- Instruction sheet
- Should include 5 compostable bags (ours didn’t — packaging error)
Testing conditions
- Testing Period: 4 weeks (December-January)
- Household Size: Family of 4
- Kitchen Temperature: 18-20°C (64-68°F)
- Emptying Frequency: Every 3-4 days
- What We Composted: Vegetable peels, coffee grounds, fruit scraps, fish bones, meat scraps, tea bags, eggshells
- Note: Winter testing only — summer heat performance still to be determined
Related posts
- Best Kitchen Compost Bins
Our comprehensive guide comparing all tested kitchen caddies, with rankings by odor control method, capacity, and budget for different household sizes. - Oxo Good Grips Kitchen Compost Bin Review
My wife’s favorite for one-handed operation while cooking — smaller capacity but excellent lid mechanism and better daily convenience. - Utopia Kitchen Compost Bin Review
Premium stainless steel build quality with charcoal filter odor control — if aesthetics matter and you want liner-free capability. - How to Stop Kitchen Compost Bins From Smelling
Practical tips for any kitchen caddy — covers what to include/exclude, cleaning frequency, and natural odor control methods. - Best Outdoor Compost Bins
Where to take your kitchen scraps next — complete guide to backyard composting systems including static bins, tumblers, and hot composters. - How to Use Kitchen Compost Bins
Step-by-step guidance on turning your everyday food scraps into nutrient-rich compost that feeds your garden or houseplants.