Recommendations for Using the Organic Waste Bin in the Summer

As temperatures rise, waste in the organic waste bin can quickly start to emit unpleasant odors and attract flies or other insects. This can be effectively prevented with a few simple measures.

Location of the compost bin—Place your bin in a cool, shaded spot whenever possible. Direct sunlight accelerates the decomposition of organic waste and promotes odor formation.

Reduce moisture—The drier the contents of the organic waste bin, the better. A layer of crumpled newspaper on the bottom of the bin absorbs excess moisture and can reduce unpleasant odors. Moist kitchen waste should be allowed to drain as much as possible before disposal and then wrapped in newspaper. In addition, it’s recommended to regularly add dry, coarse material such as small branches, prunings, or, if necessary, wood shavings among the organic waste. This improves aeration, absorbs moisture, and reduces odor formation.

Let grass clippings dry out—Freshly mowed grass clippings contain a lot of moisture and begin to ferment quickly. If possible, let the grass clippings dry out for a few hours and dispose of them just before the next organic waste bin pickup.

Keep the lid closed— Alwayskeep the lid of the organic waste bin closed. This keeps flies, wasps, and other insects out. An additional tip: Wipe down the rim of the bin occasionally with a little vinegar water or lightly spray it with vinegar. This can help keep flies and maggots away.

Clean the organic waste bin regularly— Regularcleaning ofthe organic waste bin helps reduce odors and remove buildup. The Jena Municipal Service offers a cleaning service for this purpose. Information on dates, costs, and registration can be found here: Container Service | KommunalServiceJena (link).

Dispose of windfall fruit properly - In late summer, many gardens accumulate a large amount of windfall fruit. Please do not fill your organic waste bin exclusively with fruit. Due to the heavy weight, the bin may become too heavy for waste collection staff to handle and, under certain circumstances, may no longer be emptied properly.

Our recommendations:

• Spread larger quantities of windfall fruit over several collection dates.
• You can dispose of excess waste at the Kommunalservice Jena recycling centers.
• Make sure the organic waste bin can still be moved easily and emptied safely.