Odour and vermin prevention tips
Tips to keep your wheelie bin vermin and odour-free.
- do not place the wheelie bin in the full sun
- place a wad of newspaper at the bottom of the wheelie bin
- do not throw damp waste into the wheelie bin (for example, allow cut grass to dry for a day and remove moisture from food waste by leaving it to drain in the sink strainer)
- package remains of meat and fish in a biodegradable bag
- clean the vegetable, fruit, garden and food (VFG+F) wheelie bin regularly with water and, if required, soft soap (do not use chlorine, disinfectants or insecticides as these harm the environment and interfere with the composting process)
- a piece of ivy (Hedera) placed in the wheelie bin will help to prevent maggots
- place mothballs in a pair of tights and hang these on the handle of the wheelie bin (the smell of the mothballs will keep flies away; remove the tights/mothballs before the bin is emptied)
- prop up the lid of the wheelie bin with a stick to ventilate the bin
- spray the bin with vinegar – this will keep vermin at bay
- use degradable plastic VFG+F bags with the seedling logo (Dutch) to keep the wheelie bin clean and prevent waste residues being left in the bin