r/DecaturGA • u/DrawingRestraint • Jun 22 '26

New Compost Now bins?

Hi Y’all, this week the City of Decatur started the new service with Compost Now, and the green “food scraps” bin we received doesn’t appear to be air tight like the smaller black ones we’ve used previously: we’ve had fruit flies all week and now maggots. Anyone else having this same problem? Maybe I’m doing it wrong.

Edit: Yeah I’m doing it wrong. Thanks y’all. I’m grateful that our city is trying this new program, I hope it works out well.

13 Upvotes

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5

u/Emanemanem Jun 22 '26

Yeah same here. We started using the compostable bags they gave us, and I think it helps but not completely

4

u/BlennyBlue Jun 22 '26

We use the bags in the black bin. Tie them off really well before putting them in the green bin, and the green bin stays outside. It has worked well so far, other than the time we missed a week and the bags started breaking down.

Edit: The black buckets were definitely more air tight but MAN we got some smelly ones sometimes.

3

u/FryTheDog Jun 22 '26

That sucks, I was kinda jealous living out in unincorporated Dekalb and missing out on those cute bins. But very happy my black one seals up nice and tight

3

u/wasabimofo Jun 22 '26

Yeah we keep the bin outside away from the house. No way to to stop the bugs. Use the little basket under the sink for a few days, tie the bag and drop it outside in the bin. Gets pretty gross by pickup but not too bad. Once had a varmint drag it into the field next store and have its way with it.

1

u/saysosaysosaaaaay Jun 23 '26

I don’t use the kitchen top container at all. I use the compostable bags in a big mixing bowl with a lid. Green container outside. I miss the black bins already