My attempt at a 'zero waste' week ended with a raccoon in my compost bin.

Decided to go hard on reducing trash last week. No plastic, no packaging, the whole deal. Bought all my food from the local farmer's market in bulk jars. By Thursday, my kitchen smelled like a weird mix of old vegetables and dirt. The real fun started Friday night. Heard a huge crash outside. Went out with a flashlight. A full grown raccoon had knocked over my fancy new compost bin and was having a feast. My neighbor, Frank, leaned over his fence and just said, 'Told you to get a lid with a latch.' Spent an hour cleaning up slimy avocado pits and coffee grounds at midnight. Anyone else have wildlife totally wreck their green efforts?

3 comments

3 Comments

amy_bailey862mo ago

Wasn't the raccoon just helping compost?

diana872mo ago

Helping compost? That thing was wearing my garden gloves!

max80823d ago

Amy had the same thing happen to me with a possum last spring. Those gloves have little claw marks in them now and I just use them for heavy yard work. @diana87 if the gloves are still in one piece try soaking them in a vinegar water mix for an hour it kills the smell and keeps them from coming back. I also started keeping my tools in a metal bin with a tight lid and that stopped the critters cold. You might have to do the same with your gloves if the raccoon keeps finding them. They are smart little guys once they know food or smells are around.