Bin Hygiene

If you are concerned about smells or insects during very hot weather, the following tips will help you manage your waste. You may also find the Tips For Fresher Bins! leaflet useful.

Our Tips

• In your kitchen, wrap your food waste and rinse your food containers as soon as you can and empty your kitchen bin frequently.
   
• Sort and separate your household waste from your recyclable materials as you go, so that you can put your waste into your black bin quickly. You may find it more convenient to have two small kitchen bins, one for your recyclable materials and one for your household waste.

• Rinse polystyrene food trays, yoghurt pots and other food packaging that cannot be recycled to reduce any smells. Consider using containers with well-fitting lids to seal up food scraps before putting them into your wheeled bin.
   
• Double wrap food waste such as meat and bones, unwanted pet food and disposable nappies. Make sure the wrapping does not have any holes in it. Secure it so the air cannot get in and liquid and smells cannot get out.
   
• Check your wheeled bin for residue after it has been emptied. Rinse your wheeled bin out regularly to keep it clean and consider using disinfectant.
   
• If possible store your wheeled bin away from direct sunlight.
   
• Keep your wheeled bin lid shut. If it is broken or does not shut properly contact the Council to arrange a replacement (charges apply after 1 April 2013).
   
• Consider hanging an insecticidal strip (available from DIY stores) inside your wheeled bin, or use a fly spray (for flies or maggots) or crawling insect powder. Always take care to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
   
• Consider home composting your kitchen vegetable waste or consider purchasing a food waste digester. These allow you to compost meat and bones as well as vegetable matter.