We know the summer heat in NC can make community composting challenging, but there are effective ways to manage these hurdles. Here are some simple yet impactful tips to keep your compost bins free of insects and odors during the warmer months:
Helpful Tips:
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Store Scraps Cold: Hold your food scraps in the refrigerator or freezer until a day or two before pickup. Using old containers or paper bags for storage significantly reduces odors and pests.
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Layer with “Brown” Material: Incorporate pizza boxes, newspaper, shredded paper, or leaves into your compost bin. Layering these materials on top will help absorb moisture and control odors.
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Contain Your Scraps: Instead of dropping scraps loose, consider using paper grocery bags or paper compostable liners. These help contain scraps and minimize smells and pests.
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Use Coffee Grounds: Ask a local coffee shop for used coffee grounds and paper filters to layer on top of food scraps—this greatly reduces odors and insect attraction.
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Essential Oil Spray: A spray mixture of water and peppermint or eucalyptus essential oils on the inside of your bin lid is effective against fruit flies.
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Move to Shade: If your compost cart is currently in direct sunlight and there’s a shadier spot available, consider relocating it (please notify us if you do this for pickup purposes).
