I’m adding this clever Joseph Joseph food waste bin to my kitchen before the July heatwave – its smart design features banishes bad smells and deters flies
If you're sick of stinky food waste bins, this is for you
The recent heatwave has reminded me that food waste bins really can stink, and if you’re keen to reduce odour and discourage flies from your kitchen, the Joseph Joseph Intelligent Waste Caddy (£29, Amazon) does just that.
The Simpler Recycling rules that were introduced earlier this year have meant that every household in England has been (or is in the process of being) issued a food waste bin and caddy. The plastic caddy is used for transporting food waste from your kitchen to the outdoor food waste bin, and is a brown plastic tub that is small enough to sit on a countertop.
However, I’ve found that my council-issued caddy does practically nothing to mask smells - especially during hot weather. And in my effort to get rid of flies from my kitchen, I’m investing in the Joseph Joseph Intelligent Waste Caddy. Here’s why.
I've had my eye on this bin for a while. It's compact, much smarter looking than my current brown caddy and most importantly, has a clever built-in filter that absorbs bad smells!
These bags fit the Joseph Joseph Intelligent Waste Caddy best, so are worth buying alongside the bin.
Unfortunately for you and me, a stinky food waste bin is like ambrosia for flies. Flies - particularly vinegar flies - are attracted to the smell of decaying food, in particular fruit, which releases a particularly attractive smell when it begins to overferment.
Of course, you should regularly clean your food waste bin to deter flies. By keeping it clean, it is less smelly and therefore less attractive to flies. I find that placing bicarbonate of soda (£2, Amazon) in the base of my bin is a handy trick for absorbing and neutralising bad odours. You can also purchase charcoal bin filters (£10.20, Amazon), which work similarly to absorb odour. Plus, you can even add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to some kitchen roll and place it in the bottom of a bin. Choose a scent that flies don’t like, such as lavender or peppermint.
But considering it's meant to be a scorching summer this year, I want a bin that works as hard as I do. This is why I’ve been considering the Joseph Joseph Intelligent Waste Caddy. Although the Joseph Joseph caddy is a little more than I’d typically spend on a food waste bin, especially as I do get one for free from my local council, its clever design features have convinced me to make the splurge.
The caddy has a four-litre capacity, easily handling the food waste of a busy household. It has a tight-lipped lid, which makes it harder for flies to access the inside because it seals shut. Plus, there is a built-in odour filter in the lid, which helps reduce odour and moisture, making it a less friendly environment for pests. It’s also easy to clean, with the manufacturers stating it’s easy to clean with hot soapy water, then wipe dry with a soft cloth.
What’s more, the Joseph Joseph Intelligent Waste Caddy has over 10,000 positive reviews to back it up.
‘Solved the issues I had with throwing food waste into my normal bin. It used to really smell. This container uses a filter to aid with smell. I can tie bags of food up and throw them away separately. The build is pretty good. The lid opens easily. There is a handle to carry it with. It is small enough to barely take up space on my kitchen counter. No complaints. I would recommend it,’ said one.
‘Was more than I planned to spend, but worth it for the quality. The lid sits firmly over the base - and on hotter days, I have peace of mind that flies won’t get into it. There is no smell of food inside either when it’s closed,’ said another.
Alternatives
This bin looks far too good to be handling food waste. It has an activated charcoal filter to neutralise bad smells, and the caddy itself is safe to go in the dishwasher.
This stainless steel caddy looks very smart. It has a removable inner bucket to make emptying a breeze, and an effective ventilated odour filter to reduce mositure and smells.
Another sleek, steel choice, this bin has a magnetic docking system to keep the lid firmly shut. It has been specially designed to keep odours in and flies out.
Bad bin smells, and fruit flies are enough to put most of us in a grump. But ensuring you have the right products and practises in place, this grievance can be a thing of the past.
