Food Scraps 101: Tips for hassle-free food scraps recycling

Line it

• Line your kitchen container with newspaper, not plastic- or biodegradable plastic bags.

  Learn how to fold a fun origami kitchen container liner

Use it

• Drain excess liquids from your food scraps down the sink.
• Wrap your food scraps in newspaper, paper towel, or a paper bag before placing them into your kitchen container.
• Shut the lid when you don't use it.
• Freeze smelly food scraps in a container or zipper-top bag until collection day.
• Capture fruit flies in a bowl of vinegar covered with plastic wrap, pricked with a few holes. 

Empty it

• Empty it often into your Green Bin.

Clean it

• Rinse your kitchen container after emptying it. 
• Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom to remove odours and deter insects.

Store it

• Store your bin outside in a shady, flat, and ventilated location.
• Keep the lid closed.
• Place the bin away from fences and deck railings to avoid animals getting inside or knocking it over. Otherwise, secure the bin with a bungee cord.
• If animals chew on the bin, rub peppermint oil, hot sauce, cayenne, or chili powder on the chewed spot.

Use it

• Line your bin with newsprint, cardboard, or yard trimmings before adding your food scraps to absorb liquid.
• Keep the contents of your bin dry by alternating a layer of food scraps with a layer of leaves, grass clippings, or dead plants. Let the leaves and grass clippings dry first.
• Set your bin out for collection every week, even if it isn't full.
• Eliminate maggots with salt or vinegar.
• Capture fruit flies in a bowl of vinegar covered with plastic wrap, pricked with a few holes.

Clean it

• Rinse your bin occasionally with a garden hose, mild detergent, or vinegar and water solution. If you want to, hire a private company to clean your bin (see below).