Looking after your bin

You can avoid unpleasant odours in your bins by keeping them clean. Here are some tips to help you maintain a clean bin:

Regularly clean your bin:

Aim to clean it at least once a month, or more frequently if needed, especially during warmer months.

We recommend:

  • Use a broom to remove any waste stuck to the side or bottom.
  • Squirting a small amount of dish washing detergent into the bin, use your garden hose to spray inside the bin. Wet all sides and fill the bottom of the bin with about 15cm of water and using a long-handled broom or sponge, mix the water and detergent together until it becomes soapy.
  • Tip the bin onto its side to drain out the water before placing it upright in the sun to dry.
  • Allow the bin to dry completely before putting any rubbish back into it.

Ensure all rubbish bins items are going into a rubbish bag:

  • Consider using bin liners or garbage bags inside your rubbish (red) bin to contain any spills or leaks, which makes cleaning easier and keeps the bin cleaner for longer.
  • When bagging disposable nappies or pet waste, squeeze any air out of the bag before tying it closed. Double bagging can further help to reduce smells.

In between bin cleans: 

To minimise odour and add longevity to your bin, you can:

  • Periodically disinfect your bin to kill bacteria and neutralize odours by using a diluted solution of vinegar and water or a disinfectant spray for this purpose.
  • Sprinkle some baking soda into the empty bin to absorb any residual odour.
  • Try not to overfill the bin, as this can lead to spillages and make cleaning more difficult.
  • Place items in the correct bin: make sure all food waste is put in FOGO bin, not in the rubbish bin.
  • Store your bin in a shaded area, if possible, as direct sunlight can accelerate odours

Minimising odour from your FOGO waste:

Odours and smells from food waste is common, particularly in warmer weather when the food may start to break down in your food and garden waste (green) bin.

  • Keep your bin in a shady location, particularly during summer.
  • Wrap your food waste in a caddy liner, newspaper or paper towel before placing into your FOGO bin.
  • Empty your kitchen caddy into your FOGO bin every 2-3 days.
  • Wash your kitchen caddy after each use and allow to dry thoroughly.
  • Reduce odours by wrapping meat, fish and bones or store in a container, and place in freezer until FOGO bin collection day.
  • Avoid adding liquids to your caddy to prevent caddy liner from breaking. 
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