Food waste bins are the hardest bins any business has to keep clean. In warm weather flies find them quickly, and residue left in the bottom of a bin starts to smell long before the next collection. Here are the habits that make the biggest difference for restaurants, takeaways, pubs and cafés.
Everyday habits
- Keep lids shut. An open lid lets flies in and smells out. Check lids close properly and replace damaged ones.
- Bag food waste. Use the liners your waste contractor allows, and tie them before they go in the bin.
- Drain liquids first. Liquid in the bottom of a bin is what turns into the worst smells and residue.
- Don't overfill. If the lid won't close, it's full. Ask your contractor about extra bins or collections in busy months.
- Keep the area clear. Spilled food around the bins attracts pests to the whole back-of-house area.
- Shade if you can. Bins standing in full sun heat up fast, and so does what's in them.
Why a quick rinse isn't enough
Rinsing a bin with a hose moves the worst of the mess around, but it rarely shifts the dried-on residue in the corners and under the lid rim, and the dirty water has to go somewhere. Washing waste water into a yard or drain can be a problem in itself.
A proper clean means washing the bin inside and out, including the lid, handles and wheels, then sanitising and deodorising it, with the dirty water collected rather than left on site.
Time cleans around collections
The best time to clean is straight after the bins have been emptied. Many food businesses step up how often their bins are cleaned in the warmer months, then drop back in winter.
How we help: we clean food waste, general waste, recycling and glass bins on site, from 240 L up to 1280 L, on a personalised schedule timed around your collections. Our trailer collects the dirty water, so nothing is left in your drains.
Bin cleaning for food businesses · Book a free Site Visit · 0800 772 3074