Editor’s Note: This is a sponsored posting.
The adoption of curbside food scrap collection has surged significantly. According to BioCycle’s nationwide survey, 14.9 million U.S. households had access to food waste collection in 2023, a 49 percent increase from 10 million two years prior.
Encouraging usage of these bins presents a greater challenge. Participation rates vary widely, from nearly universal in a few cities to less than 30 percent in others. This disparity is crucial, as food waste constitutes about 24 percent of landfill intake in the U.S., and the EPA estimates it contributes to 58 percent of the methane emissions from these landfills. An unused green bin is not harmless.
Let’s clarify the term, as it differs by location. The “green bin” is a curbside container for household organics, which includes food scraps, yard trimmings, and sometimes food-soiled paper, depending on local programs. This bin is collected separately from trash and recycling and directed to composting or anaerobic digestion facilities instead of landfills. Color varies by location—for instance, Toronto uses green, New York City uses brown, and other areas may call it the organics cart, compost cart, or food scraps cart. The destination of the material, not the color, is what matters.
Reasons for Abandoning the Green Bin
Households disengage for various reasons: confusion over what can be discarded, forgetting collection days, and inconvenience. A less discussed reason is the bin’s unappealing condition, which makes cleaning a repetitive and dreaded task.
This is a hypothesis rather than a confirmed study result. No research specifically links bin cleanliness to program dropout, but customer feedback suggests it plays a role. Evidence shows that reducing this unpleasant task can boost participation.
In 2023–24, Essex County Council in the UK implemented a year-long Food Recycling Project. They distributed a package to over 375,000 households, including a waste bin sticker, an informational leaflet, and a free roll of compostable liners. As a result, food recycling increased by an average of 21 percent compared to a control group, surpassing the council’s 10 percent target.
The liners were part of a broader initiative, alongside a media campaign, so the exact impact of liners alone is unclear. However, providing tools to manage mess is beneficial, though free liners are not a sustainable solution for most households.
Therefore, the issue isn’t whether a cleaner, contained bin aids program adherence—it clearly does. The challenge is achieving this without free bags, which is where BagEZ comes in.
Innovative Solutions for Efficiency
BagEZ utilizes a standard bag within the green bin, starting from 13 gallons (49 liters) and more. Food scraps are placed in the bag, not touching the cart, keeping everything contained and the bin dry and clean. This targets the problem of cleaning that causes many to quit.
The system consists of a folding steel rack with clips to secure the bag. Handles grip the bin’s rim to keep the bag open and suspended. On collection day, simply remove the clips, seal the bag, and take out the frame before placing the bin at the curb.
Choose the bag size based on your kitchen’s needs, not the bin size. The MITRE-Gallup survey, the largest U.S. household food-waste study, found that the average household wastes 6.2 cups of food weekly, about 8.8 cups including peels, cores, and bones—slightly over half a gallon. Even households with more waste don’t fill a large curbside cart with scraps. For most, a 13-gallon bag suffices, costing less than a full cart liner. Right-sizing the bag also enhances the effectiveness of odor control strategies. Larger bags may be needed if your program accepts yard trimmings or if collection occurs bi-weekly.
Before making changes, verify your program’s acceptance criteria. Liner regulations vary widely in North America. Some accept only certified compostable bags, others require paper or loose scraps. A non-compliant bag can lead to skipped collections and contamination flags. Earth911’s recycling search is a helpful resource: earth911.com/recycling-search
After collection, a simple wipe with vinegar and water suffices for cleaning. A dry bin reduces this task to a seasonal chore rather than a weekly one, eliminating the need for a hose.
Addressing the Green Bin Dilemma
Notice the puddle at the bottom of your countertop organics caddy after removing the bag? This moisture primarily comes from food. As produce decomposes, it releases water.
This phenomenon also occurs in the curbside bin. As bags of scraps sit, they release moisture, which accumulates against the bin’s bottom and sides, resulting in sticky, odorous residues.
BagEZ offers a different approach by keeping the bag elevated, allowing air circulation around it. This prevents condensation from pooling, allowing it to evaporate and keeping the bin walls dry.
The right-sized bag enhances odor management. Sprinkling baking soda in the small, contained space around the bag is more effective than spreading it across a large area, reducing smells and flies, ultimately preventing maggots.
Some opt for food-grade diatomaceous earth to combat fly larvae, but it only works when dry. Similarly, baking soda’s effectiveness relies on a dry, contained environment.
Two additional inexpensive tips: place newspaper sheets under the bag to catch drips if it fails, and tie a sachet of peppermint and cloves outside the bin to deter raccoons and rodents, which rely mainly on smell. A bin without food odors becomes less appealing to them.
The Effectiveness of BagEZ
The infrastructure is already in place. Bins are at the curb, trucks operate, and the environmental benefits are clear. What’s lacking is an affordable, efficient solution to maintain bin cleanliness, preventing people from abandoning the program.
A reusable steel frame that holds a bag open might seem trivial, but that’s its strength. It keeps the bin clean, the process simple, and ensures food scraps reach their intended destination.
Compared to alternatives, the key lies in functionality. Bin cleaning services address the issue post-occurrence with scheduled fees. Full-size liners incur ongoing costs and fit the bin rather than actual waste output. BagEZ offers a one-time purchase that accommodates your existing bag size.
A green bin program is only successful if it is consistently used, and that hinges on it being user-friendly. Eliminating the wet mess minimizes reasons for discontinuation: no pooling, no hosing, no odors attracting animals. The bin remains self-cleaning week after week, with a bag you’d buy anyway.
Tailor the bag to your kitchen, clip it to the frame, and avoid making the green bin a dreaded chore. Find BagEZ at bagez.com.
About the Author
This sponsored article was written by Sean Rana, the founder of BagEZ, a Canadian company behind the steel hanging bag frame that keeps garbage and green bins clean without special liners or ongoing costs, and works for waste and storage on the go.
