Food Waste Tips
Avoiding fruit flies and odors
Handling kitchen scraps
Compostable bags
How do I avoid fruit flies and odors?
Fruit flies are most active in the warmer months. Though they are pesky, they will not harm you or the waste. Here are tips to keep fruit fly populations down:
- Keep your kitchen food scraps container sealed with a good lid. If you use newspaper or uncoated paper bags to wrap scraps, take them out to the cart immediately. If you use an approved compostable bag, keep it in a container with a lid or take it out often.
- Put your food scraps in paper wrap or a carton and keep them in the refrigerator or freezer until collection day. Only dump the scraps and compostable paper or bags into the cart. No plastic – it is not accepted in your cart.
- To reduce odors, sprinkle baking soda in the container.
- Wash your kitchen container thoroughly with detergent and water after every use.
- Vacuum up fruit flies (can be very effective)
For more information, please call the Garden Hotline at (206) 633-0224.
How can I store kitchen scraps?
Here are some options that work:
- Use a plastic, metal, or ceramic container with a snug-fitting lid. Lining it with paper towels, newspaper, or an approved compostable bag to help keep it cleaner. Consider using a second hand plastic juice pitcher with a twist lid. You can also purchase new containers at many local retail stores.
- Wrap them in newspaper, plain brown paper, an approved compostable bag or paper towels. To prevent flies, take them to the cart or put them in the refrigerator or freezer or a lidded container.
- No plastic bags or cartons are allowed in the cart because they contaminate the compost.
What are approved compostable bags and where can I get them?
Some people like to bag their food waste before placing it in their cart to avoid odors and sticking. Compostable bags are made of material such as corn.
Only approved compostable bags are accepted in the cart. You can buy approved compostable bags at a variety of retail stores.