Household refuse and recycling collections

Health, hygiene and smells

Problems with health, hygiene and smells can easily be avoided by taking care of how certain waste is being thrown away. Wrapping food waste and disposable nappies in a sheet of newspaper or an old carrier bag and ensuring the bin lid is closed flat will stop smells and prevent the attraction of flies and vermin.

Here are some good hygiene measures you can adopt to banish potential problems:

minimise food waste in the bin. See our pages on reducing food waste and special offers on subsidised food digesters.
rinse out plastic bottles and tins before putting them in the recycling boxes
place all refuse in carrier bags and double bag items such as meat, fish and nappies (consider using washable nappies)
don't leave food exposed in the kitchen where flies can make contact (maggots only arise where flies have been able to settle on food to lay eggs)
keep the lid of the wheelie bin closed at all times
Wash the bin after it is emptied and consider using a wheelie bin liner (we recommend biodegradable corn starch or paper liners), these are available from most supermarkets
if possible, store the wheelie bin out of direct sunlight
bin deodorising powders and other products are widely available which can help to neutralise odours from smelly items like fish.