Whether you’re composting in the back yard or saving food scraps in your kitchen for curbside recycling, you may be concerned that decomposing material can become smelly and create problems you don’t want. But these problems can be alleviated through a little know-how and simple changes to how you are currently recycling and composting.

Kitchen scraps

One way to eliminate or greatly reduce the smell in your kitchen collection container is to use compostable bags or uncoated paper bags. Compostable bags are sold at grocery stores such as QFC, Fred Meyer, Safeway and Bartell Drugs and they also come in different sizes. Currently, the Ridge Supermarket also carries compostable bags in different sizes and brands. Make sure to look at the box to confirm it says compostable and not bio-degradable. Bio-degradable bags break down into little pieces, but will never turn into compost.

You also should empty the container into your yard waste bin regularly, especially in warm weather, so fruit flies don’t develop. You often see this around bananas when left on the counter during the summer. Be sure to clean out leftover residue inside your kitchen collection container frequently; you can also line the bottom with a paper towel or napkin to make clean up easier. This can also be done in the curbside bin. In addition, you can mix food scraps in with yard waste, or layer shredded paper or newspaper in between the food layers to help minimize odor.

Another option is to place your food scraps inside a sealable container and place in the refrigerator or freezer until your yard waste pick-up day. When talking to residents about placing food scraps in the refrigerator, some have voiced concerns about safety.

“As long as you keep it sealed there are no smells and no health concerns,” said David Brentlinger, a King County Master Recycler Composter. Some people use their second refrigerator, but this isn’t necessary if you store scraps in a container with a cover and empty it every few days.

Curbside food scrap recycling provides many benefits and conveniences, such as the ability to recycle meat, poultry and dairy, along with other food and food-soiled paper in your yard waste container, and can help you reduce the size of your garbage bill. It is much better for your food scraps and food-soiled paper to be recycled into nutrient-rich compost rather than head to the landfill. Food scrap recycling is easy and a no -brainer. All it takes is a container with a lid next to the sink and a subscription to yard waste collection for food scrap recycling to be a success in your home.

Backyard composting

When composting at home, it is important that the compost has the right mixture in order for it to break down. The ideal mixture is two parts brown (twigs, straw, shredded paper, etc) and one part green (grass, garden, floral clippings). Food scraps should be placed in a worm bin; never put meat, poultry or dairy in worm bins. Common issues with back yard compost systems are:

Smell: When a compost pile becomes too wet or has food or pet waste in it, it has a tendency to smell like rotten eggs or garbage. To solve this, turn the pile and add leaves, straw, or shredded newspaper. Never add pet waste to a compost bin or yard waste bin.

Not composting properly: If the compost pile is damp on the inside but not composting properly, it is most likely because you do not have enough greens in mix. So mix in greens and if there is a high amount of wood, remove it or chop into smaller pieces.

At-home composting, whether in a worm bin or in a back yard composter, takes time to do it right. So if you don’t have the time, subscribe to yard waste collection; then you can put yard waste and food scraps and food-soiled paper in the yard waste bin, and let the pros compost it for you.

• Patrick Pirtle is the city of Snoqualmie’s recycling program intern.