Composting

[hpdrifter]

The city has decided to implement composting as part of its garbage management system. A few weeks ago a little green receptacle, a mini-me version our paper and plastic recycling bin, appeared on our doorstep. We will be required to start using said bin (which is sort of cute in its smallness) by March 30th.

I understand the concept and appreciate the effort but I am confused about the execution. It is pretty clear what is meant to go in this bin, food scraps and certain kinds of food-soiled containers. But there are several points that are unclear to me.

1. How am I going to keep this bin clean? After about a week it's going to stink to high heaven and attract all kinds of bugs and rodents.

2. Where do I keep it? Am I really meant to walk my plate downstairs and outside to scrape it and then inside and back upstairs to rinse it and put it in the dishwasher every time I eat something?

Are there any other city dwellers out there who do this that have suggestions?

Am I not green because I don't get this and sort of resent having it forced on me?

[Bob]

one of my former roommates composted. we kept it next to the normal garbage bin, which we kept in a closed cupboard under the sink

kitchen was still full of flies in the summer though

[Adam]

I've always been in a house with compost - including growing up back in the 80s, but my mum and dad was keen gardeners.

Anyway, it shouldn't get flies really. Just keep a small bin with a lid near and empty it every few days or so. If in kitchen where well ventilated it shouldn't smell. I can see living a flat as a bit of a problem.

You can buy compost bags (they decompose) that you could put over the bin if you're concerned about cleanliness. But every once in a while you could get it blasted with a hose to clean it out.

[Fern]

Tell them to go fuck themselves. What? If you don't do it, are the gestapo going to come and get you???

We have had our paper and glass pail for years as our only garbage pail. After years of fighting with the garbage men, they just recognize it as any other pail on the block.

I see the city that you live in is rainy? WHat city is that?

[funk63]

Sounds bogus, fuck the environment.

[jabumbo]

i understand composting in your own yard, but having it collected seems a little strange. my mom always has a small bucket (usually an old coffee canister) with a lid that she fills up and will empty it in the back corner of the yard to do the compost thing herself.

i do think most post-meal cooked food scraps tend to fall outside the composting area though. no meats, bones and such.


we recently expanded to all things paper/paperboard/cardboard in our recycling program here, and its amazing how much you can reduce the amount of trash just by tossing all that junk mail in the recycle bin.

[Yorkshire~Rose]

Yup, food scraped off your plate is a definite no-no. Any cooked food for that matter otherwise the flies will be a problem - in particular those pesky little fruit flies.

Stuff you should be putting into your little compost bin:
egg shells
tea bags
coffee grounds
raw vegetable peelings

[Funky Pepp]

We have these bins in many communes here in germany since the 1990s. Lucky they don't have it in our area though. Anyway, there are special compostable garbage bags for those bins and if it stinks too much you can use a special "anti-smelling-powder". But it won't stink much more than the usual garbage (you throw away the same stuff - you only use 2 different bins).

I stopped separating plastic from the rest a few months ago after seeing a reportage on TV telling that they collect the rubbish with the same trucks and drive it to the same refuse collecting plants. So, I don't see why I should stuff my kitchen with different garbage bins when they collect everything together anyway... :rolleyes: (I still seperate glass and paper though.)

[hpdrifter]

I guess that's true, we put it in the garbage either way. I didn't think about it like that. I guess the point of concern is that the inside of the bin is going to get all crudded up and I'm going to have to hose it out periodically as Adam said. And it's just going to be gross and smelly. I could get the biodegradable liners, the city says to line it with newspaper. I am pretty sure the instructions said for us to put all of our food scraps in there, though. I guess I need to look at the instructions again.

[b i o n i c]

get something with a screw top like those plastic pretzel "jars" from costco, problem solved

[Dorothy Wood]

my grandma used to collect food scraps in a container in the freezer and then empty it periodically in the compost bin in the backyard. it may seem a little gross to keep garbage in your freezer, but if you seal it up it's not so gross and the frozenness eliminates the odor (for the most part).

[yeahwho]

For the past 20 years I've been saving my dandruff and drool in one of them plastic pretzel "jars" from costco.

Then freezing it.

[b i o n i c]

i hope you've kept them in separate jars

[yeahwho]

I tried to separate each individual dandruff flake by size and shape for about 3 years, then I joined up on the drool recycling and found they all mesh together on the bottom, unless you add glycol.. but that's technically not recycling when you use glycol.

[b i o n i c]

you and him (http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/clips/cooking-with-the-anal-rententive-chef/2867/) should go bowling

[yeahwho]

That guy is an ass, why doesn't he just come out with it and say each piece of beef should be exactly 11.4277147 grams, get a fucking triple beam scale and learn how to cook slob.

[hpdrifter]

take me home tonight

Awesome, I love that song. I thought I was the only one.

[yeahwho]

Emerald Queen Casino I-5 Saturday March 28th (http://www.eddiemoney.com/)

[hpdrifter]

Never been to the Emerald Queen. You going?

I just saw an ad today for a bill with Styx, REO Speedwagon and 38 Special. And I didn't think it could get any funnier than Def Leppard/Poison with Cheap Trick opening. Yes, opening.

[yeahwho]

I'm spose'd to be up in anacortes working that night, I just checked the tickets and they have really good seats for $30 about 10 rows back, I've never been there either so I'm not too sure of the layout. I bet it's a butt rockin' party because you can get drunked up while your sittin' there.