Kitchen Scrap Collectors

Last Spring, I interviewed coworkers about what types of compost bins they use in their backyards. There are so many options for how to set up your compost, but one thing that isn’t talked about as often is how you collect your food scraps. Poor collection technique for food scraps can result in some adverse effects- like bad smells or fruit flies. Luckily, these things are totally avoidable with a good system.

Use an Airtight Container

A key feature of a kitchen scrap collector is that it needs to be airtight. This will keep any potential smell from coming into your kitchen space and keep any fruit flies or ants from finding out about your stash. On that note, so long as the container is airtight, it doesn’t have to be anything fancy. You can get a collector that is made specifically for kitchen scraps, or you can use a bin from around your home (one of my coworkers collects her food scraps in an old kitty litter container that she has repurposed)! On the other hand, if you want something fancier, you can always look into alternative options that fit your home aesthetic.

If your container is not airtight, you can try using a carbon or charcoal filter as an alternative way to ensure the bin doesn’t smell in your kitchen.

Empty Weekly

The best practice is to empty your food scrap collector (at minimum) on a weekly basis to keep things from getting icky and sticky inside. Setting up a weekly routine will also help keep you from forgetting, in which some food scraps may begin to rot. Once rotting begins, the scraps can still be composted, they may just be a little more unpleasant to dump out.

Wipe Out

Give your kitchen scrap collector a rinse each time you empty it. This will help prevent older smells from lingering. Occasionally, I will use a paper towel and give it a good wipe out with water and vinegar to give my collector a refresh. What’s nice about this technique is that when you are done, you can leave your paper towel in your collector and take it out to your compost next time you empty.

Freeze

If you are extra cautious, one thing that you could do to ensure your kitchen scrap collector doesn’t attract bad smells or fruit flies is to freeze your food scraps. If you have space in your freezer, you can keep your kitchen scrap collector there. This will stop bacterial growth in its tracks, but it won’t hurt your compost.

A Special Note: Compost Seminars

It’s backyard composting seminar season for Hamilton County ReSource! AND we have a Compost Bin Sale this spring!

Come and learn the benefits of composting, what to compost, how to start and maintain a compost pile in your yard, and how to use finished compost. Seminars are geared towards beginners and those who’d like a refresher, so if you’re already an expert, share this news with your rookie friends and family and encourage them to attend one of the following seminars:

Thursday, April 2, Walnut Hills Library, 2533 Kemper Ln, Cincinnati, OH 45206

Tuesday, April 7, Green Township Library, 6525 Bridgetown Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45248

Tuesday, April 14, Deadlow Brewing, 5959 Kellogg Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45230

Thursday, April 23, Sharonville Library, 10980 Thornview Dr, Cincinnati, OH 45241

Tuesday, April 28, Miami Township Library and Senior Center (same building), 8 N Miami Ave, Cleves, OH 45002

Wednesday, May 6, Deer Park Library, 4020 E. Galbraith Rd. Cincinnati, Ohio 45236

Wednesday, May 13, Mt. Healthy Library, 7700 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45231

Tuesday, May 19, Fernald Preserve Visitors Center, 7400 Willey Rd, Hamilton, OH 45013

*All seminars begin at 6:30pm – please arrive a few minutes early to get your free kitchen collector, magnet, and booklet.

In addition to these educational seminars, we have an online compost bin sale starting now! 

Bins can be ordered through this link: https://enviroworld.com/hamiltoncountyohio

Pick-up will be at 525 Northland Blvd, Cincinnati, OH 45240 on the following dates:

-          Friday, May 29 from 12:00-5:30

-          Saturday, May 30 from 10:00-2:00

Order deadline: May 20 – don’t miss out!

Questions? Email Elise Erhart at elise.erhart@hamiltoncountyohio.gov