According to the Municipal Public Utility (SRB), this is caused by high humidity and heat, unwrapped food scraps, and poor aeration of the organic waste.

According to the SRB, odors and maggots can be prevented by following a few guidelines when filling and handling the organic waste bin:

• Before filling the organic waste bin, it is recommended to line the bottom of the bin with packing paper, egg cartons, or shrub clippings to absorb any moisture and prevent the organic waste from sticking to the bottom of the bin.
• Kitchen waste and food scraps should always be wrapped securely in newspaper so that flies cannot lay eggs on the food scraps.
• Do not pack organic waste in plastic bags—not even in bioplastic bags! So-called bioplastic or biodegradable plastic does not break down quickly enough within the typical composting timeframes at composting facilities, and tiny plastic particles end up in the environment as microplastics via the compost.
• Allow particularly moist organic waste to drain well beforehand. Fresh grass clippings clump together quickly in the organic waste bin and cause odors, so let the grass clippings dry out first and fill the bin loosely.
• The organic waste bin should be kept in a cool, shaded place with the lid closed to prevent excessive heat buildup and, consequently, odor development.
• After emptying the organic waste bin, let it dry thoroughly and be sure to clean the rim and lid.

If maggots appear despite all these measures, you can control them by sprinkling algae lime or rock dust on them.

For further questions, please contact the SRB’s waste advisory service at 05341 / 839-3741.