Won't the organics collected in my home smell?

Food goes anaerobic and gets smelly more quickly when it is cut off from oxygen. The SureClose container provided by the City has a vented lid to help prevent this problem. If you use your own container, make sure the lid is aerated.

Here are other strategies you can use to prevent odor:

  • Take your organics to a drop-off site more frequently, especially during hot spells in the summer.
  • Collect your organics in a cool, dry place, such as under the sink or in your refrigerator.
  • Keep a container in your garage or basement lined with a larger compostable bag so you can take your smaller kitchen bags out more frequently.
  • Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of your compostable bag when you replace it. Baking soda is a natural odor-eater.

Remember - there is nothing going into your organics that isn't already going in your garbage. Smell is a natural part of organics decomposition.

Show All Answers

1. Where can I get more compostable bags?
2. How do I tie or secure my bags?
3. Does all of my organics recycling material need to be bagged?
4. Why are my compostable bags leaking?
5. Won't the organics collected in my home smell?
6. What is the Anoka County Organics Recycling Program?
7. Can I put paper towel or cotton balls with cleaning product in my organics recycling?
8. What kinds of paper can I put in my organics recycling?
9. Can I put fast food wrappers in my organics recycling?
10. What happens to my organics material after I drop it off?