Where do you stand on food waste bins being sealed or not?
Hello everyone,
I'm having a debate with myself as i swear i've read / been told before that waste bins should be SEALED.
We have an egg packing facility and therefore a lot of liquid egg waste, this is kept in lidded wheelie bins.
Do you think this is sufficient? or do you think that the lidded bins should then be sealed with shrink wrap.
Please bare in mind that egg waste swells in the heat, filling up more of the bin.
I think they should be sealed for the following reasons;
swelling from heat / to contain
pest management
for e.g. if it is windy and the lid blows open
Please let me know your thoughts, I am positive i have read or heard from previous auditors that filled bins waiting for collection should be sealed, however i could be wrong so please feel free to play devils advocate!
kind regards,
They are to be effectively sealed. Is no the lid considered an effective seal?
Hello everyone,
I'm having a debate with myself as i swear i've read / been told before that waste bins should be SEALED.
We have an egg packing facility and therefore a lot of liquid egg waste, this is kept in lidded wheelie bins.
Do you think this is sufficient? or do you think that the lidded bins should then be sealed with shrink wrap.
Please bare in mind that egg waste swells in the heat, filling up more of the bin.
I think they should be sealed for the following reasons;
swelling from heat / to contain
pest management
for e.g. if it is windy and the lid blows open
Please let me know your thoughts, I am positive i have read or heard from previous auditors that filled bins waiting for collection should be sealed, however i could be wrong so please feel free to play devils advocate!
kind regards,
Hi Zoe,
the bin lid itself would act as an adequate seal, particularly if stored outside.
I've always worked on the premise that internal waste bins have no lids, which prevents staff from touching waste bin lids and that external bins are lidded to prevent pest ingress. If you're concerned about swelling, you may need to think of a larger container, a wheelie bin doesn't really hold a lot.
What food waste provider do you use? They will be only too happy to supply you with a larger one, or failing that you can pick up a one for a few £100
Hello everyone,
I'm having a debate with myself as i swear i've read / been told before that waste bins should be SEALED.
We have an egg packing facility and therefore a lot of liquid egg waste, this is kept in lidded wheelie bins.
Do you think this is sufficient? or do you think that the lidded bins should then be sealed with shrink wrap.
Please bare in mind that egg waste swells in the heat, filling up more of the bin.
I think they should be sealed for the following reasons;
swelling from heat / to contain
pest management
for e.g. if it is windy and the lid blows open
Please let me know your thoughts, I am positive i have read or heard from previous auditors that filled bins waiting for collection should be sealed, however i could be wrong so please feel free to play devils advocate!
kind regards,
IMEX an open waste bin is an auditor's delight. NC = 1 without even trying !
PS - I hope my previous suggestions were of some assistance ?
Hi Zoe,
Exposed food waste in external areas will be a pest issue. As mentioned above, a properly closed bin lid should provide a sufficient seal. It may be worth periodically checking the cleanliness and fabrication of the bin lids if they are not closing sufficiently to block pest ingress. Regarding the swelling perhaps larger bins may help as per post #3, or test the maximum swelling and mark a fill line on the bins so they aren't over-filled.
If wind is blowing the lids open, perhaps a clip or strap added to the wheelie bins can prevent this:
https://www.amazon.c...g/dp/B0777STFNC
You probably have heard correctly from previous auditors, but what standards are you adhering to? I'd be surprised if any allow open waste bins outside but I'd check your specific requirements. BRC do specify that external waste containers shall be covered or kept indoors as appropriate (clause 4.12.2)
HI,
Thanks all for your comments.
Can i just add a side note;
The waste bins are lidded and kept outside. My debate was simply whether this is sufficient or they must be sealed also e.g. shrink wrapped. I would never allow open waste bins outside.
Thanks.
If you seal with shrink wrap isn't there risk of them blowing open due to swelling if they are over-filled?
Just follow what Zanorias stated and you'll be fine.
Did you perhaps read it in (or reference was made to) ISO/TS 22002-1 (PRPs on food safety - Part 1 - Food manufacturing) Section 7.2 where it states that:
"Containers for waste or inedible or hazardous substances shall be:
d) closed when not in immediate use;
e) locked where the waste may pose a risk to the product."
Furthermore, Section 7.3 refers to the accumulation of waste in food-handling or storage areas, and the removal of waste to be at least daily.
Regards
It's all about risk. Have you experienced the lids blowing off in the wind or coming unsealed due to heat or swelling? If so, sounds like you have enough rationale to further secure them with a strap or lock or some kind of mechanism. If you haven't experienced these risks and they are unlikely to occur...just go with the lid.