TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Components: The newspaper liner is shaped as a flattened cone so that the side surfaces meet at opposite angle portions that self-align with the two walls angles of the opening when the opening receives the liner. The compost collector comprises more than one sheet of newspaper. The receptacle has a base to support the receptacle in a generally vertical free standing position. The receptacle further comprises a lid (50), where the receptacle and/or the lid includes ventilation holes. The compost collector includes an upwardly extending flap which can be folded over to cover the compost collector when the compost collector is full and is to be removed from the opening to form a sealed bundle. The combination further comprises: a drying rack adapted to receive multiple sealed bundles for drying prior to disposal; and a hanger for the body of the compost receptacle so that the compost receptacle can be mounted to a door or cabinet. In the compost receptacle, the cone shaped opening comprises two side walls that join together at two wall angles on opposite ends and taper into a point to form a flattened cone shape. The compost receptacle further comprises: base for support; a lid; the hanger; and handles cut out from the body of the receptacle. Preferred Method: In the method: the step of constructing the paper based liner into the cone shape that complements the shape of the opening comprises folding the sheet of newspaper to define two sides surfaces that join together at opposite angle portions, and fanning apart two adjoining open corners, resulting in the side surfaces tapering to a closed point, where the newspaper liner self-aligns within the opening of the compost receptacle; and the step of removing the compost collector when full of compost comprises folding over upwardly extending flaps of the compost collector to form a sealed bundle. The method further comprises the step of placing the sealed bundle on a drying rack.