Questions on pests and smells

The new wheeled bins for residual waste provide a better and more secure storage than the seagull proof sacks for residual waste collected on a fortnightly basis. They prevent residual waste being disturbed or spread and better contain any smell.

• Try not to put too much liquid in with the food
• Keep the bin out of direct sunlight until collection day
• Try using liners; they can make the storage and transfer of waste food tidier and more convenient. You can choose between two kinds of liner, as follows:

1. Special compostable sacks/corn starch liners
You will have received a pack of free liners with your new caddy and bin. These liners are made of cornstarch (GM free). They resemble a plastic bag but will compost completely. These liners will help you to transfer the food and keep in smells, they will also help to keep your bin and caddy clean. You do not need to use them however, as you can use newspaper or nothing at all. If you do decide to keep using them after you have used your free liners they are available from TOR2 by calling 01803 207900 and the Household Waste Recycling Centre (Tor Park Road). When purchasing liners from other sources ensure they are marked with one of the logos which certify that products are 100% compostable and meet the applicable EU composting standard (EN13432).

Do not use plastic bags to line your bin, as they are not compostable, even bio-degrabable plastic bags, as these do not break down quickly enough and would end up in the resultant soil conditioner product.

2. Newspaper as a degradable liner
You do not have to use any liner at all, but newspaper makes a great free compostable liner or wrapper. Either line your bin or caddy with one sheet of newspaper, or wrap food in a sheet of newspaper (like you do with fish and chips) and place it in your storage bin. This helps to keep the bin cleaner and the newspaper will be composted with the food waste.

Don’t worry, the food waste bin has a lockable lid which seals shut and is designed to prevent flies, sea gulls, rodents or any other pests accessing food waste.

In addition all food waste bins will be collected on a weekly basis.

Residents need to use the food waste bin’s ‘pull up handle’ lock system to protect food waste, instructions for using this are on the bin. Residents simply close the lid firmly and then pull up the carry handle on top of the bin to lock the lid shut.

In addition, residents should use the biodegradable corn starch bin liners which will give further protection from flies and other pests. If residents do not wish to use the liners they can also wrap food waste in newspaper, which will have a similar effect.

The animal nets have been designed to prevent sea gulls and other pests accessing the recycling bins but we do ask residents to ensure glass bottles, food cans and plastic bottles are cleaned before being put in the bins to avoid attracting pests.

TOR2 did look at lidded recycling crates but in a seaside resort, these were deemed impractical as the lids were likely to blow off.