Heard my downstairs neighbor talking about their compost bin smelling

I was taking out my trash yesterday and overheard the guy in 2B telling the super his compost bin was attracting fruit flies. He said, 'It's just a plastic tub with holes, I thought that was enough.' It made me realize I've been doing the same thing with my own setup. I've been adding food scraps to a bucket without enough browns, just assuming the holes would handle it. Has anyone found a good ratio of shredded paper to food waste that actually keeps the smell down in a small space?

2 comments

2 Comments

vera_west1mo ago

Ever try the two to one rule? I had the exact same fruit fly problem in my old apartment. For every scoop of food scraps, I'd add two scoops of shredded brown paper or dry leaves. It made a huge difference. The smell went away in a couple days because it wasn't just a wet mess anymore. You really have to be strict about layering it.

hart.taylor1mo ago

Honestly, I had the total opposite experience. I tried that exact ratio and my bin just turned into a dry, clumpy brick that never broke down. Tbh, I find it's more about the type of food. Like, if I add a bunch of melon rinds, it's a swamp no matter how much paper I throw on top. I have way better luck just freezing my scraps first and then adding them with a single handful of browns.