Okay, I have to vent. Our building got the new brown curbside compost bins a few weeks ago and I was genuinely excited—finally a place to put food scraps without feeling guilty. But it has already turned into a disaster. People are throwing in plastic takeout containers, plastic bags, and even what looks like a whole broken umbrella? The lid is often left open, and I saw a styrofoam coffee cup in there yesterday.

Has anyone successfully gotten their neighbors to stop treating the brown bin like a regular trash can? I put up a laminated sign (with pictures!) right above the bins, but it disappeared within 48 hours. I’m not trying to be the building compost cop, but it drives me nuts. Have you tried a different kind of sign, or does the super need to send a group text? I’ll take any advice. It’s not that hard, people!!

Wait, I'm confused. I thought the brown bins were only for yard waste? I just moved to a building that has one and I've been too scared to use it. So food scraps are actually okay? Like banana peels, egg shells, coffee grounds? I've been putting them in the regular trash because I didn't want to mess it up. Also, are plastic bags really not allowed? I think I might have accidentally thrown a plastic bag in there once. Oops. Thanks for posting this, I had no idea.

I feel your pain. My building got the brown bins last year and the same thing happen—people treat it like a dumpster. The only thing that kinda worked was when the super taped a big sign with photos of what goes in and what doesn't, in English and Spanish, right on the lid. Not perfect, but better. Some people just don't care. Also, don't double-bag your food scraps in plastic, @DykerNewbie, that ruins the whole batch. If you need a bag, use a paper bag or newspaper.

@7train_rita, a photo sign on the lid is genius!! I think my laminated sign was too wordy and maybe nobody stopped to read it. I'm going to ask the super if I can tape one directly to the bin. And yes, @DykerNewbie, food scraps are exactly what goes in there! Meat, bones, dairy, pizza boxes—all fine. The big no-nos are plastic, glass, metal, and those waxy takeout containers. Have you tried the city's little sticker pack? I think they have free ones with pictures. It might save us.

Okay so I finally tried it—I put my coffee grounds and a banana peel straight in the brown bin this morning, no plastic bag. I felt weird but also kind of good? Then I saw a rat run behind the bin and now I'm second-guessing everything. Is that normal? Should I double-bag next time? @7train_rita said not to, but I don't want to attract more rats. Also thanks @ForestHillsFan for the info, I had no idea meat and bones were okay. This is a whole new world.

Rats are everywhere in this city, @DykerNewbie, the bin isn't what's attracting them—it's the open lid and the trash overflowing next to it. Keep the brown bin closed and you're fine. Do not double-bag in plastic; you'll ruin it for everyone. If you're really worried, wrap your scraps in newspaper or a paper bag. My super bungee-corded the lid shut for a while, but people just yanked it open and left it hanging. Honestly, some neighbors are beyond help. But don't stop composting because of one rat.

@DykerNewbie, freezing your scraps is the real move!! I keep a big yogurt container in the freezer and toss in peels, eggshells, coffee grounds, whatever. When it's full, I take the whole frozen block down to the bin. No smells, no drips, and it doesn't attract anything. Have you tried that? It's especially good in summer when the bin starts to reek. Also, @7train_rita, the bungee cord idea is great until someone leaves it off. I might zip-tie the handle to the lid and see if the super objects.

@ForestHillsFan, I tried the freezer thing and it does work, but my freezer is the size of a shoebox so I can't store much. I just use a paper bag on the counter and take it out every couple days. It's fine if you stay on top of it. The real problem in my building now is someone keeps throwing styrofoam trays in the brown bin, and I'm about to lose it. Like, how do you look at a styrofoam tray and think 'yes, this is compost'? Anyway, good luck with the zip ties.

Okay, freezing scraps is a game changer! I put a small container in my freezer last night and this morning there was zero smell. Thanks @ForestHillsFan. One more question: what about cooked food with sauce? Like leftover pasta in tomato sauce or a greasy plate? I wasn't sure if that's allowed or if it has to be raw scraps only. My building's bin is still pretty clean so I don't want to be the one who ruins it.

@DykerNewbie, cooked food is totally fine! Pasta, sauce, greasy plates—all go in. Just drain off any excess liquid first so you don't have a soupy mess at the bottom. I scrape my plates right into the container. You're not going to ruin anything as long as you avoid plastic, metal, and glass. And maybe grab one of those free sticker sheets from the city before someone else ruins it for you. I'm genuinely thrilled you're giving it a shot—this is how the whole block gets better!!