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You are here: Home /  Living in North Herts /  Waste and Recycling Service /  New Waste and Recycling Service /  Top Tips for Good Bin Management

Top Tips for Good Bin Management

Waste and recycling bins are the householder’s responsibility to keep clean and usable.  The tips below will help:

Grey bins

• Keep waste containers clean e.g. washing and disinfecting when needed. If you prefer not to clean your bin yourself, there are companies which offer this service

• Purchase a bin deodorant to kill off any smells in your bin

• Keep moisture in waste containers to a minimum

• Keep all waste tightly wrapped

• Try to keep the bin out of direct sunshine in really hot weather and make sure you keep the bin lid closed at all times

• Some essential oils, such as citronella and tea tree oil are natural insect repellents.  Try smearing your bin lid with one of these oils if flies are a problem but please do not use if you are pregnant

• In the unlikely event that you experience problems with maggots in hot weather, pour boiling water over them - this kills them quickly

Brown Bins

• Try to keep the bin out of direct sunshine in really hot weather and make sure you keep the bin lid closed at all times

• Do not leave any uncovered food waste lying around in the kitchen before putting in the bin as flies can land on it and lay eggs which are then transferred to the bin

• If you have problems with excess moisture, try lining the bottom of your wheeled bin with cardboard or paper.  In really hot weather, if smells are a problem, try layering a few sheets of newspaper or cardboard in your brown bin.  You can also wrap your food waste in a newspaper / paper bag or cereal box

• Do not shred or chop food waste before disposal - it is better to put waste into the bin in large pieces

• Try sprinkling a product called Bokashi inside your brown bin.  This activates the compost process and so reduces unpleasant smells.  For more information, contact Living Soil on 01556 650116

• Please do not use your brown bin for disposable nappies.  These should be put into your grey bin and double wrapped firmly in bags

• If there is an unpleasant mess after your brown bin has been emptied, give the bin a rinse with a mild disinfectant. It is up to you to manage your bin and ensure it remains user friendly.  Alternatively, look on the web or in Yellow Pages for  local bin cleaning companies

• Some supermarkets sell bin liners that are labelled as 'degradable'.  Please note that these are still plastic bags, are not compostable and are not acceptable in your brown bin.  The only bin liners that are acceptable would be ones made from paper, either white or brown

• Try not to leave pet food out for a long time.  For wet food, as soon as the animal has finished eating, remove the food as this is a common place for flies to lay eggs which can develop into maggots once in your bin.

• Try not to prepare more food than you need, thus reducing the amount you are throwing away.