Ugh.. coworker eating red onion sandwich at desk

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and then putting the remains of it in the bin. I have pretty sharp senses and I hate the smell. Because she puts it in the bin the smell is there from lunch onwards... ughhhhhhh

it isnt freshly cut red onion, it is like it has been sitting in a container just long enough to develop its full arsenal of odor-producing chemicals.

What can I do about this? If anything?

C
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you should complain to your boss... maybe ask her to use a different trash can furthr from your desk

I'd ask her if you could borrow her trash and take it out yourself, if you can. Complaining to her boss will just make her retaliate. She'll go behind the scenes and makes sure everyone hates you for it.

Well, I have been lurking for probably a little over a month now, and you just made me register haha. (won't ruin your question, I'll make a welcome thread in a moment.)

What I would do: Just go ahead and quietly empty her garbage. Don't make a fuss about it, if her trash can is by her knee just say "excuse me for a sec." and empty her garbage, just remember to bring a new bag so you don't have to ask her for one. If she looks at you weird, just say, "sorry, something in your sandwich was just getting to me." I wouldn't bother complaining to a higher up unless there is already a no food at the desk policy.

Downfalls?: she could think that anytime she doesn't feel like emptying her trash can she can toss something stinky in there and you will change it.

Most likely: she will say, "oh yeah, sure, sorry!" and if she recalls it next time she eats the same sandwich she might dispose of it differently. (but will most likely forget.)

Possible: she will become overly apologetic and snatch the bag from your hand do her trash herself and possibly yours, and after anytime she eats something she will ask you if it is bothering you.

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Det

I can't stand smells like that either. I try to dump my lunch related stuff in a trash can away from where anyone works since I assume other people can't stand it either

Short time solution - Hold your breath and empty the bin.

Long term solution - Ask her kindly if she can use another rubbish bin to put red onion in. Tell her that the smell has a really bad effect on you and you don't want to have to smell it all day while at work. If she doesn't comply, then ask the boss if she/he can have a talk with the co-worker about it.

How about start a compost bin for your office? You can get some with worms inside, others are just dirt-based. It's good for the environment too. Of course you'll want it as far away from your desk as possible.

EAT IT.

(I dare you.)

Thx for all your suggestions guys...

Unfortunately I did say something... i have tourettes of the mouth sometimes...

I dont know if she will have this sandwich today. Luckily im not the only one who is not a fan of the lingering onion odor. A woman keeps coming out of her office after lunch and putting on the fan.. it seems to coincide with the eating of the sandwich..

The fan seems to work rather well thank goodness.

And as for the compost bin, I would rather like one of those in the office.. its cool to see the worm population growing and to see them making topsoil.

C
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Hide it in one of their desk draws

Seriously, all you can probably do is just ask them not to because it stinks. I used to chuck all sorts of crap in the classroom bin, and I even brought in a pizza and it stank out the room. I wouldn't have though if someone told me it pisses them off.