The hot weather means bins, particularly food waste bins, can get a bit smelly and even develop maggots, ewww! Follow these quick tips for a somewhat cleaner experience.
- Empty your kitchen food waste caddy into your outside waste bin regularly. Make sure the lid is firmly shut by using the handle. This will keep smells to a minimum and prevent any foxes or vermin from accessing the scraps.
- Try to place your outdoor food bin in the shade – direct sunlight will speed up decomposition, which, of course, is smelly. Your neighbours will appreciate it too!
- If you can, store your outdoor food bin somewhere high up and out of reach of animals like foxes. This should help to avoid the spreading of food waste all over the ground that you then have to pick up. On bin day, always place the outdoor food waste bin on top of your rubbish or recycling wheelie bin, for the same reason. Put something heavy on the lid, such as a brick.
- Consider freezing particularly stinky food leftovers such as fish (in a clearly labelled bag) and then place the frozen waste inside your outdoor food bin on bin day, or the night before.
- Negate nasty niffs – sprinkle the inside of the caddy with baking soda, then place your food waste (no liquids please – a known ‘maggot accelerator’) on top inside a caddy liner or plastic bag. You may also wish to sprinkle baking soda over the closed lid once it is outside – baking soda neutralises odours.
- Clean your outdoor food bin (and wheelie bins) after each waste collection with hot water, washing-up liquid and baking soda for sparkling clean and odour-free bins!