Pole compost bins are constructed like a log cabin, with poles just laid on one another. The poles can be of any diameter and any size that you can handle easily. Bamboo, small logs, or straight branches all work well.
This bin has the advantage that you can build it as you fill it, so you don’t have to lift forkfuls of material over the sides of a high bin. Once the pile has settled—about 2 weeks after building—the poles can be taken off and used for another bin. The pile will hold its shape. You can also use the same poles when you turn the pile. Just remove them from the old pile and construct a new pile next to the old one.