Wheeled bin hygiene advice

Keep your bins `wheelie´ clean this summer!

It´s important to ensure that household waste is disposed of correctly throughout the year, responsibility for doing this lies with the individual householder. The wheeled bins are designed to help you safely store household waste for a two week period and b y following these simple hygiene practices below, you will be able to keep your bin clean and whiff-free!

Recent studies funded by Defra and carried out by Enviros Consulting Ltd and Cranfield University indicate alternate weekly household collections are not a risk to public health.

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Maggots...

The life cycle of a fly is made up of four stages; egg, larva (maggot), pupa and adult (fly). The length of this cycle is variable. In high temperatures developing from egg to larva can take as little as 8 - 16 hours. Flies are also vulnerable to changing weather conditions, a small increase in temperature can lead to rapid growth in the density of the housefly population.

Flies are attracted to odours and will lay their eggs in moist or decomposing material. They are especially attracted to materials with high protein content such as meat and fish.

The majority of maggots that are found in wheeled bins usually originate in the kitchen. Eggs are laid in kitchen bins if they do not have lids, or on food that has been left uncovered. The waste is transferred to the wheeled bin where the eggs then hatch into maggots. The best method of controlling the fly population is to break the breeding cycle by limiting the areas where they may lay eggs.

Reduce your chances of getting maggots in your `wheelie´

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In the kitchen...

  • Dispose of extra food waste via your kitchen bin as quickly as you can to avoid flies landing and laying eggs.
  • Tie all refuse securely in plastic bags and double bag items such as meat and fish waste. Remove as much air as you can before sealing the bag; this will slow down general decomposition and prevent odours from escaping.
  • Ensure your kitchen bin has a tight fitting lid to prevent flies being able to enter the bin and lay eggs.
  • Use of fly paper / sprays and insecticides may help to reduce any fly problem. Please use sprays in a well ventilated area and according to the product instructions.
  • Chopping scrap food waste before placing it in the bin encourages the material to break down and decay quicker than normal and attract flies. By not chopping down this waste you will reduce the number of flies attracted to your container.
  • Try to avoid buying too much food during your weekly shop. This will save you money and also reduce the amount you throw away.

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Disposing of liquids...

  • Dispose of liquid / very sloppy cooked food wastes via the sink. This will prevent moisture occurring in the bin and help control fly infestations.

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Recycling...

  • Rinse out packaging such as plastic bottles and tins to be put in the recycling bin and non recyclable containers for the black waste bin. This can be done at the end of the washing up and will remove any stuck food residues.
  • Recycle as much as possible. Reducing the amount of waste will prevent maggots.
  • Excess recyclable materials listed for collection in the recycling bin will be removed if your blue-lidded bin is full. The excess materials must be in a suitable alternative container such as a carrier bag. If you regularly put out excess recyclable materials, you can be provided with an additional recycling bin upon request.

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Composting...

  • As a Woking resident you are entitled to purchase a home composter or wormery at a subsidised rate. This is the best way to recycle uncooked kitchen vegetable waste. For more information contact WRAP on 08450 770 757 or visit the website: www.recyclenow.com/compost or alternatively contact Blackwall on 08451 30 60 90 or visit the website at www.woking.getcomposting.com

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If you have young children...

  • Dispose of solid waste from nappies down the toilet and double bag them before putting in the wheeled bin.
  • Reusable nappies are washable, eco-friendly and would reduce the amount of waste going into your black bin. Woking Borough Council has joined forces with the Surrey Real Nappy Network to offer nappy packs to all Woking residents. To apply for a Trial Nappy Pack at the reduced price of £25 (RRP £53 approx) please click on the printable application form, call Nappy Trials Service on 0845 644 3684 or visit their website at http://www.nappytrialservice.co.uk/incentives/surrey.

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With pets...

  • Do not leave pet food uncovered; flies will be attracted to this and lay eggs.
  • When disposing of pet waste please double bag to prevent odour and moisture from escaping. Please put this into your black container.

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Your wheelie bin...

  • Keep the lid of the wheelie bin closed at all times.
  • Place newspaper at the bottom of your wheeled bin, this will prevent waste sticking to the bottom of your bin and will soak up any moisture.
  • Refuse that will not fit into the bin should be taken to one of the Civic Amenity Sites at either Martyrs Lane or Slyfield. Bags placed beside the black bin will not be collected.
  • Keep the inside of the wheelie bin reasonably clean and ensure that food residues are rinsed out after it has been collected. When cleaning your bin we advise you lay it on its side and disinfect with shop-bought disinfectant, hot water and a mop or broom. Please empty this water into the drain rather than onto your garden.
  • If possible, store the wheeled bin out of direct sunlight. This will help to reduce smell and help prevent flies being attracted to your waste. Also try to keep the bin away from your boundary with your neighbours to avoid a possible nuisance.

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If you have sacks...

  • Once your sacks are full, tie securely to prevent flies entering the bag. Following the advice above will also significantly reduce the possibility of getting maggots as the temperature rises.

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If you do get maggots...

  • Tip the contents of the bin into a plastic sack and knot or seal tightly.
  • Place the plastic sack into your wheeled bin ready for the next collection. The maggots should not be able to escape.
  • Disinfect your bin with strong smelling disinfectant and hot water.
  • Number the lid of your wheeled bin to ensure you get your clean bin back after your collections.

Following the advice provided should be sufficient to prevent any reoccurrence.