Email Newsletter icon, E-mail Newsletter icon, Email List icon, E-mail List icon Sign up for our Email Newsletter
Kitchen Food Scrap Container Tips
Once you have your outdoor compost bin all set up you need to begin collecting the food scraps generated in your kitchen. There are several types of containers you can use. You can purchase containers or you can reuse a container you already own. Below are some suggestions:

CONTAINERS FOR PURCHASE

The white and beige compost container shown in the picture to the right is available for $5 at the CSWD administrative office in Williston.

There are also several local retailers that sell kitchen food scrap collectors including:

REUSABLE CONTAINER SUGGESTIONS
  • Reusable plastic containers with lids, such as large margarine, yogurt, or cottage cheese tubs
  • Small garbage can or compost pail placed under the sink, lined with a plastic or approved compostable bag*. Dump the food scraps in your outdoor compost bin. Plastic bags must go in the garbage.
  • Plastic gallon-size milk jug with the top cut off (keep the handle intact). Dump the food scraps into the outdoor compost bin. Rinse, re-use and then recycle the jug.
  • Used Ziploc or produce plastic bags. (Freeze the food scraps for easier disposal because the plastic bag cannot go into the bin.)
*TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS AND MANAGING THE YUCK FACTOR*
  • Cleaning the containers
    In addition to lining your compost pail or garbage can with an approved compostable bag, you can also line your container with a paper bag or newspaper. Both of these materials are compostable and can be placed in the compost bin right along with your food scraps. They keep odors down and help soak up the liquid generated by the food scraps which makes cleaning your pail a whole lot easier.

  • Managing odors
    The more frequently you empty your pail the less ordorous it will become. However, if odor persists try rinsing it with a warm water and vinegar mixture.

  • What about the fruit flies?
    Make sure the container you are using has a tight-fitting lid and that you empty it regularly. These two steps will help keep odors down and the fruit flies at bay. If fruit flies continue to be a problem place a small dish filled with vinegar next to the container. The flies will be more attracted to the dish than your pail and fly right into the puddle of vinegar.