It is getting much warmer in the UK, and any gardeners who enjoy spending more time outside should check their compost bins now before the temperature really rises. Food and plant foliage can take a really long time to break down in cold conditions, which can cause moisture to drip to the bottom of a compost bin, making the waste extremely soggy. This becomes an issue in spring as more pests enter gardens in search of food when the warm weather can make compost smell really pungent.
Rats will be able to sniff out wet compost, and in late March, maggots will start to become a problem as flies start to lay eggs once the temperature is over 10 °C. However, Jen Panaro, a sustainable living expert and founder of Honestly Modern, has shared there is a simple way to keep a compost bin clean by just placing some shopping bags inside it.
She said: “Brown paper bags (like repurposed grocery bags) are the best. They absorb a good amount of moisture and break the least. Even when they do break, they keep the inside of the bucket the cleanest.”
Paper shopping bags are made of a thick and absorbent material that soaks up moisture from the compost, helping to keep the bin dry.
Compost needs a balance of nitrogen-rich scraps, such as food waste, and carbon-rich materials, like paper, to decompose efficiently.
The crumpled paper will leave tiny air pockets in the waste, which help speed up a process called aerobic decomposition, where microorganisms break down the compost using oxygen.
Using shopping bags also helps mask the smell of rotting food and reduces the likelihood of attracting pests such as rats or flies.
It is a cheap and environmentally friendly way to help keep your compost bin a lot cleaner so it will not smell throughout spring.
How to use shopping bags to keep compost bins clean
It should be noted that this method works only with paper shopping bags, and plastic should never be used in your compost because it does not break down.
Most paper shopping bags in the UK should say whether they are compostable, as most are made with water, soy or plant-based inks.
However, the absolute best bags for compost are plain brown or white ones as they will not contain any heavy dyes and are naturally very carbon-rich.
Once you have the right bag, simply crumble it up or tear it into small pieces. Then, layer it at the bottom of your compost bin before you add any scraps.
Turn it over regularly to mix the paper into the food waste, and it should keep your compost bin free of any pets for the rest of the warmer months.
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