3 Steps to Use Your Kitchen Pail and Keep It Odor Free

Kitchen pails make recycling food scraps easy.

Putting food scraps in your kitchen pail is one of the easiest ways to reduce food waste. In just a few simple steps, you can help be part of the solution in diverting organics materials from the landfill. It is as easy as 1-2-3.

Here’s How to Do It

1. Fill your kitchen pail or a reusable container with food scraps. Pails can be purchased at retail stores or online. You can also use any reusable container with a tight-fitting lid you already have at home.
2. Empty the contents of your kitchen pail into your green organics container.
3. Rinse out the pail with soap and water and fill it again.

Recommendations For Reducing Odors

• Avoid overstuffing the kitchen pail.
• Be sure to empty the pail contents every few days.
• Rinse the pail with soap and water after its emptied, then let it air dry. It is helpful to lightly sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of the pail to absorb odors.
• Freeze spoiled and smelly food (e.g., meat, bones, and dairy) to prevent odors. Only add these items to your pail right before emptying it into the outside container.

What Goes in the Kitchen Pail?

Acceptable organics materials that can be added to your kitchen pail includes food scraps and food-soiled paper (100% fiber-based). For a full list, short video, and more at-home organics recycling tips, visit AthensServices.com/Food.