Actually the shipping container we have is already a recycled one, quite old and rusted, much worse condition-wise than the one shown in the photo I linked as an example. If it were to rust out much worse it would be of little consequence for our particular situation. To clarify, my intent is not to use it for a long-term multi-season/year place in which to compost varieties of materials but rather as a place to compost a pile of manure (only) in the back as I described, for a period of up to 4 months maybe one or two seasons for now. I realize composting manure in the open would be fine too, but in our very typically rainy location (southeast Alaska) I would prefer having the pile at least covered by a roof to prevent the manure pile from getting too wet from the rain all the time, and right now I don't have the space or time or materials to build a more ideal manure-composting shelter type structure. My concern/question is whether composting the manure back inside that container like that (essentially void of any direct sun exposure and rather dark most of the time back there) would significantly inhibit the natural decomposition process of the manure or its potential as a nutrient enricher for the garden soil. May be a dumb question, but still would appreciate any viewpoints/comments about this.

Quote: The produce that comes from outside the USA can, because use is not regulated, have much higher concentrations of whatever was used than the same produce grown in the USA. Research has shown that the amount of residual pesticide on the produce you eat, if grown in the USA, is fairly minute and most will dissipate or be digested and rendered "safe" by the soil bacteria in your soil, if you have a soil that has a good, active Soil Food Web. Kimm, such a blanket statement about other countries' guidelines on food production. Perhaps you would like to state what countries the U.S. imports from having such lower standards than the U.S. I would be very interested since Canada is America's biggest trading partner and vice versa. Toronto is the third largest customer of California truck farm produce. That fact was unknown by its governor...Mr Swartzeneggar (sp) when he visited us last summer. President H.W. Bush was also surprised at that fact. And the second biggest trade parter of the U.S..... the Province of Ontario. Now it would be most interesting if you would state where you get such data from and list the countries you think have such low standards. Did you know Kimm, the U.S.'s largest producer of chicken meats---for such places as Kentucky Fried Chicken et al...they came to Quebec to open a factory to serve the local restaurants and to ship all across Canada. Well, they had to pick up their bat and ball and move out....it seems Canada's standards of production was too high for this company to make sufficient money at. So they left this country. That's a fact that you can check on. Now its one thing to suggest that standards MAY BE lower...and such statement is probably true...you can always find something, some country with low or lower stnadards. So if you will KIMM, state from where you get your data.

Did you find it? I used to live in Powell...

Straysod, Like you, and others who replied, I have a small tumbler that never really finishes. I dig it out by the bucketfull and use it rough. the places where I have dug it into the soil, it disappears quickly and though partially unfinished, hasnt hurt any plants. in fact, they seem to like it. I use mostly kitchen scraps and have a lack of browns too. I don't know why we introverts are so silly about this but i also put off asking my neighbors for leaves for almost a year. I was so awkward in avoiding this simple conversation that I once waited until they weren't home and hastily swept up all the leaves in the street in front of their house. I felt like a bandit! How embarrassing! But just last week I finally asked one of my neighbors for her leaves and she was so sweet and happy to oblige! Why had I been putting it off so long?! Now I have access to a neverending supply! ....And yet despite this success I am still avoiding asking my other neighbor for her grass clippings! O.o The worst thing they can say is no and you're right back where you started. Best case you have a new free resource. Maybe offer to blow and sweep the leaves yourself if you think they're likely to say no. Good luck to you with your compost and happy gardening.