Alexei Volkov
With the increase in plastic bag bans and awareness of plastic pollution, many people are looking for alternatives to plastic bin liners. One option is to not use a liner at all and wash the bin between uses, although this may not be suitable for bins containing food waste. Compostable bin liners are an option, but they will only be effective if they are disposed of correctly. Newspaper is another alternative, although this may not be practical for everyone.
How to line rubbish bins without plastic
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Using newspapers | Ask friends, family, and neighbours for newspapers, or use community newspapers |
| Paper bags | Reuse paper bags from stores multiple times before using them to line your bin |
| Compostable bin liners | Check the packaging carefully to ensure the bags are compostable and not just "green", "eco-friendly", or "biodegradable" |
| No liner | Rinse out the bin between uses, especially if it contains food scraps or stinky stuff |
| Wrapping food scraps | Wrap food scraps in newspaper and tie them with string before placing them in the bin |
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What You'll Learn
Wash your bin between uses
If you're not using a bin liner, it's a good idea to wash your bin between uses to keep it fresh and odour-free. Food waste is the main culprit for bin odours, so it's a good idea to separate food scraps from general waste and compost them.
- Put on protective gear: Wear a mask and elbow-length rubber gloves to protect yourself from dirt and bacteria.
- Remove loose debris: After the bin has been emptied, take off the lid and set it aside. Turn the bin on its side and use a long, hard-bristled brush to scrape off any loose debris or hardened gunk stuck to the bottom. Dispose of the debris in a garbage bag.
- Wet the interiors: Stand the bin upright again and use a hose to wet the interiors. If there is wet garbage residue, thoroughly rinse the bin by spraying the interiors with water and then emptying it out.
- Soak stubborn grime: If there is stubborn grime, fill the bin with 5 inches of water (or more if needed) and let it soak for about 15 minutes.
- Create a cleaning solution: In a bucket of room-temperature water, mix 1/2 cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of liquid dish soap. Stir to combine the ingredients. You may need a second bucket of the cleaning solution, so keep the ingredients handy.
- Scrub the bin: Tilt the bin forward and use a nylon string mop to scrub the interior. The mop's long handle and wide coverage make it an effective tool for this task. Rotate the bin as needed and finish with the bottom while it's in an upright position. If the water becomes too dirty, replace it with a fresh cleaning solution and rinse the mop as well. For stubborn grime, consider using a long brush to scrub the interior before mopping.
- Rinse the bin: After scrubbing, thoroughly rinse the bin by leaning it on its side, spraying the inside with water, and lifting the bottom to empty it out. Rotate the bin while it's on its side to ensure a thorough rinse. Spot-clean any missed areas of grime.
- Clean the lid: Use a handheld scrubber or brush to clean the lid. Dump the water that has been soaking the lid and give it a final rinse.
By following these steps, you can effectively wash your rubbish bin and keep it clean and odour-free between uses.
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Use newspaper to line your bin
Using newspaper to line your bin is a great alternative to plastic bin liners. It is a compostable material that can help keep your bin clean and odour-free. Here are some tips on how to use newspaper as a bin liner:
Firstly, source some newspapers. If you already buy or receive a newspaper, you can use that. Otherwise, ask your friends, family, or neighbours if they have any spare newspapers that they plan to recycle. You can also check public places like cafes, schools, libraries, or community centres for newspapers.
Once you have your newspaper, here are some ways to use it to line your bin:
- Place the newspaper in the bottom of your bin, allowing it to line the base and come up the sides. This will create a barrier between the bin and your waste, making it easier to dispose of rubbish without needing to wash the bin each time.
- Wrap your food scraps or other waste in newspaper before placing them in the bin. This method is especially useful if you have a larger bin, as you may not need the newspaper to line the entire bin. Wrapping waste in newspaper helps contain it and makes it easier to dispose of, especially when dealing with food waste that can create odours.
- Consider combining methods one and two for added protection. By lining your bin and wrapping individual pieces of waste, you can better contain odours and leaks, especially if you have a lot of food waste.
- Dispose of the newspaper along with your rubbish. Newspaper is compostable, so you can include it in your compost bin or recycling, depending on your local guidelines.
Remember, the goal is to reduce waste and find eco-friendly alternatives. While newspaper is a great option, you can also explore other compostable materials or simply wash your bin between uses if that is more feasible for you.
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Compost food waste separately
Composting food waste separately is a powerful way to reduce your trash, address climate change, and build healthy soil. Here are some tips to get you started:
Benefits of Composting Food Waste
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), food scraps and garden waste combined make up more than 28% of what we throw away. By composting food waste separately, you can reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills or incinerators, which helps to cut down on landfill waste and the powerful greenhouse gas emissions that result from this waste decomposition. Composting also helps to improve soil health, recycle nutrients, and enhance water retention in the soil, making it more resilient to floods and droughts.
What to Compost
When it comes to composting food waste, almost any food scrap can be composted, including fruit peels, scraps, and pits. Even avocado pits break down quickly! You can also compost inedible food scraps, such as eggshells, and some people even compost dog waste in a dedicated backyard bin, though it should never be mixed with regular compost due to health risks.
Composting Methods
There are several methods for composting food waste separately. If you have a backyard, you can create a compost heap or bin outdoors. Alternatively, if you live in an apartment, you can try vermicomposting, which involves keeping a bin of red worms that feed on food scraps and produce nutrient-rich material for your plants. You can also look into community composting systems or drop-off sites, such as community gardens, that may accept food scraps for composting.
Composting Process
The composting process involves allowing your compost pile to cure or finish. This typically takes at least four weeks, and the pile will reduce to about one-third of its original size. After curing, the compost will be dark, loose, crumbly, and smell like fresh soil. You can then use it to enhance your garden or plant beds.
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Use paper bags to line your bin
Paper bags are a great alternative to plastic bags for lining your rubbish bin. They are eco-friendly, and you can reuse them several times before repurposing them as bin liners. Paper bags are also a better option than plastic bags when it comes to pollution, as you will rarely see a paper bag stuck in a tree or endangering a sea creature.
If you do not have paper bags, you can make your own paper bin liners using newspapers. Fold the newspaper into an origami bin liner with a square bottom, or wrap your food scraps in newspaper, tie them with string, and then place them in your bin. You can also ask local cafes or news agencies for newspapers to use.
If you are concerned about the no bin liner option, as rubbish may fly out when the bins are collected, you can use paper bags or paper as a liner. This way, you can ensure that the rubbish makes it to the tip and is securely buried.
To reduce the need for bin liners, you can also reduce the amount of waste you throw out. For example, you can separate your waste and compost all your food scraps, which will result in nutrient-rich compost for your garden.
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Use compostable bin liners
Compostable bin liners are a great eco-friendly alternative to plastic bin liners. They are made from biodegradable materials, such as bioplastic combined with plant starch, and are designed to break down over time. This means that they can be composted along with your food waste, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills.
When choosing compostable bin liners, it is important to read the packaging carefully. Some products may be labelled as "green", "eco-friendly", or "biodegradable" without being truly compostable. Look for certifications, such as the seedling logo, which indicate that the product is internationally recognised as compostable. This ensures that the liners will actually break down as intended.
Compostable bin liners come in a variety of sizes, ranging from 10L to 70L. You can choose the size that best fits your bin, whether it's a small kitchen bin or a large outdoor rubbish bin. These liners are also reinforced to prevent leaking, so you don't have to worry about any mess or spills.
Using compostable bin liners is a simple way to reduce your plastic consumption and improve your environmental impact. By composting your food waste and the bin liners themselves, you can divert a significant amount of waste from landfills and contribute to a more sustainable future. This practice aligns with the increasing plastic bag bans and the growing awareness of plastic pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
You can line your bin with newspaper, wrapping up food scraps and tying them with wool or string before placing them in the bin. If you don't buy newspapers, ask friends and neighbours or check public places like cafes, schools, and libraries for spare copies.
Paper bags are a good alternative to plastic bags and can be reused several times before being used to line your bin. You can also use mesh grocery bags and totes.
Yes, you can buy compostable bin liners made from corn starch or potato starch. Make sure they are certified as BS EN 13432:2000 and have the compostable logo and EN 13432 to ensure they will break down during composting.
Yes, you can choose to not use a liner and simply wash your bin between uses. However, keep in mind that rubbish may fly out when the bin is collected, especially if you have food waste or lightweight items like plastic.
You can separate food waste from general waste and start composting to create nutrient-rich compost for your garden. This will help reduce odours and the need for frequent bin washing.
