South Derbyshire District Council - How to keep your bin clean

Some people have problems with their bins becoming smelly and unpleasant – here are some tips for keeping your bin clean.

Black rubbish bin

Always wrap up all your rubbish before putting it in the bin. You can re-use old carrier bags to tie up your rubbish. If your rubbish is thoroughly wrapped there should be no way for flies to get access to it.
Always keep your bin lid down. This stops flies as well as cats, dogs, birds and foxes from getting access to your rubbish.
Regularly clean out your wheeled bin to get rid of any residues. You can do this yourself - use an anti-bacterial cleaner to kill off any germs. If you use a cleaning product like Jeyes Fluid, the smell of the cleaner will also deter flies.
Pay for someone else to clean your bin.
Gleam Clean: 07957 905 912
Clean A Bin: 01283 712 252
Fresha Bins: 01283 240188
For further details of wheelie bin cleaners in your area check local press.
Purchase a bin deodorant to kill off any smells in your bin (e.g. 'Adsorbex' powder, call 01903 529 267 or visit www.adsorbex.co.uk for details).
Use a wheelie bin liner.

Brown compost bin

Try wrapping any vegetable peelings or tea bags etc. in a sheet of newspaper to help absorb some of the moisture. Please note that we do not actively want newspaper in the brown bin, but you can use a small amount in order to keep your bin clean.
In summer you can help prevent meat and fish waste from smelling by wrapping it in newspaper or a compostable liner.
Always keep your bin lid down. This stops flies as well as cats, dogs, birds and foxes from getting access to your compost.
In summer large quantities of grass clippings can go soggy and smelly.
You can help prevent this by trying to layer up clippings with other woody types of garden rubbish.
You can purchase compostable sacks for putting your composting materials in. You can purchase them from the council offices on Civic way, Swadlincote (call 01283 595 795 for details). Alternatively you can purchase compostable sacks from other retailers, please see Stockists of Compostable Food Waste Bin Liners
Purchase a bin deodorant to kill off any smells in your bin (e.g. ‘Adsorbex’ powder, call 01903 529 267 or visit www.adsorbex.co.uk for details).
Secure a wheelie bin liner to your bin with tape or strong clips, firmly enough to ensure that the liner does not come away with the compost waste when emptied (as normal plastic bags can’t be composted).

Maggots...and how to deal with them in your bin!

What are maggots?

Maggots are the larva stage of the life cycle of the common house fly. Flies are attracted to food, and can lay up to 150 eggs at a time.

These eggs can hatch into maggots within eight to 48 hours. Depending on the conditions, maggots can transform into flies after a few days, or several weeks.

Why am I getting maggots in my bin?

You may get maggots on your household rubbish when flies have had contact with your rubbish. If flies settle on your rubbish they may lay eggs which will then hatch out into maggots.

How can I prevent maggots?

If flies do not get in contact with the rubbish you will not get maggots!
Tie up any bags of rubbish tightly - it may help to double wrap rubbish if it is difficult to tie the bags up very tightly.
Ensure the lid of your wheeled bin is kept closed.
Make sure you never leave cooked food (especially meat) uncovered.
Flies can lay eggs on the food before it goes in the bin.
If you have lots of flies in the house try using fly paper, scented fly deterrent or ‘knock down’ spray.

How can I get rid of maggots?

If maggots get into your wheeled bin, most of them should be removed when your bin is emptied. Maggots and flies' eggs can be killed by using bleach, boiling water or disinfectants.

Clean/wash your bin out - you can use professional bin cleaners if you don't want to clean it yourself.

Try using a cleaning product with a fragrance (e.g. Jeyes Fluid) which will help deter flies from your bin.

Further information

If you need further advice on South Derbyshire District Council bins please contact our Waste Management Customer Services Team using the details below.

South Derbyshire District Council
Customer Services
Civic Offices
Civic Way
Swadlincote
Derbyshire
DE11 0AH

Tel: 01283 595 795
Online: contact form
email: waste.cleansing@south-derbys.gov.uk - please include your name and address on your email, as it helps us to send a reply with the correct information much faster

Page ref: SDDC 337

How to keep your bin clean