The city’s residential composting pilot program kicked off in 2013, but residents of its test neighborhoods—including many in those considered to be the most eco-centric in the city, like Park Slope—have been slow to jump on the bandwagon. It seems as though residents in those nabes have been deterred by a lack of communication about the program, unclear instructions as to what can and can’t be composted and, most significantly, unpleasant experiences with insects and odors, points out DNAinfo. Here, courtesy of the Department of Sanitation, how to prevent creepy crawlies and stinky smells from discouraging your composting:

• Store fly-attracting meat and bone scraps in the freezer until composting day.

• Keep the composting bin latched tight so pests can’t get inside.

• Wash (with mild detergent) and dry your composting bin thoroughly between pickups.

• Layer wet compostables with newspaper, cardboard or even leaves to absorb moisture that can lead to smells.

• Have your compost collected weekly—even if your bin isn’t full.

Composting is not just for New Yorkers in the test neighborhoods. For a full rundown of how it works, see here.

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