Lining your bin

Posted: 14.04.09  |  Created by:

Some Australians reuse their plastic bags as bin liners. A common question asked by these people is “without plastic bags, how will I line my bin?”

While plastic bags often seem like the best solution to the bin liner conundrum, plastic bags offer only weak handles and thin plastic. The accidental spills and leakages these bags cause are a common source of the rubbish stench, both in the kitchen and on the kerb.

Before plastic bags were introduced, leftover food was either reused in ‘bubble and squeak’ type recipes or put on the compost - these are wise alternatives even today. The other option is to wrap food scraps in three sheets of newspaper, that you then fold like fish and chip wrapper and throw away. Done properly, there will be no leaks to sully or soil your bin.

These days, most leaks usually come from liquid-heavy food such as soups or Asian dishes. Where you have leftover food of this type, either refrigerate and reuse it, or put it on the compost. As a last resort, put it into a takeaway container, then wrap that container in old newspaper, and place it in the bin.

Return to the solutions page, or the home page.