Nothing. You'll be lucky if a closed window keeps out the stench. If it was just your can it would be easy to toss in some baking soda each time the can is emptied, but this is a lot more. Too bad!

I agree that nothing will overcome the smell of the rubbish. But if it is really that bad there's something seriously wrong with the garbage system which needs sorting out. It's a health issue.

I don't know that it's bad; I'm just preparing for it to be. It's New York. It smells.

The thing with many herbs is that they really need contact to smell, so may not provide as much scent as you'd like. Also, an east face window may not provide enough sun for some herbs. I would try either a mint, or look into scented geraniums. I have Attar of Rose and Lemon Fizz scents, and they're wonderful when brushed. Also really nice looking foliage--the lemon is a nice bright mid green, and the Rose is a little lighter. That way when you're looking out the window, you just brush a hand over them. And they do better with more reflective light and less sun than say a rosemary or so forth.

Matthew, I am so curious! Tell me about the 'garbage heap'. What do you mean by that?

If it is where community garbage cans/bags are located, I suspect that you will never be able to open your windows on that side of the apartment.