What Size Trash Can Does Your Kitchen Actually Need?
Choosing the right size kitchen trash can for your home is an important decision that requires some planning. You want a can that's big enough to contain all your waste between emptying without overflowing or causing odors. But you also don't want an oversized monster eating up valuable floor space. Follow our guide to find the ideal kitchen trash can size for your needs.
First, take a week to measure how much trash your household generates. Weigh or visually assess the volume of waste added each day. Make sure to separate recyclables so you're only tracking actual trash volume. After a week, calculate your average daily and weekly totals. This provides a baseline for the capacity your new can should have.
Common Kitchen Trash Can Sizes
Kitchen trash cans come in a range of standard sizes to suit different needs:
- Small (6-10 gallons): Best for 1-2 people or tiny kitchens. Will likely need daily emptying.
- Medium (10-15 gallons): Accommodates 2-4 people. Emptied every 2-3 days.
- Large (20+ gallons): For 5+ people or maximum capacity. Enables weekly emptying.
Cans also come in different shapes. Rectangular or square cans optimize corner spaces. Slim cans fit tightly between cabinets. Step cans make trash access easy for those with limited mobility.
Factors in Choosing the Right Size
When selecting your ideal kitchen trash can, consider these key factors:
Household Size
In general, allow for 2 gallons of capacity per household member. So a family of four would need around an 8 gallon trash can. More people generate more waste, so size up accordingly.
Types of Waste
Kitchens that generate lots of food scraps need more capacity versus those discarding mostly dry, compact trash. If your household combines food and recyclables in one bin, a larger can prevents premature overflowing.
Frequency of Emptying
If you take the trash out daily, a smaller can is fine. But if emptying happens less often, choose a bigger can to contain all waste between trips to the curb.
Available Space
Measure the area under your sink or in corner spaces to ensure your new trash can will fit. Cans come in many widths, depths, and heights to optimize storage.
With these factors in mind, let's look at size recommendations for some common household scenarios.
Size Recommendations
Here are suggested trash can sizes for different household types:
- Singles and couples: 6-10 gallon
- Families of 3-4: 10-15 gallon
- Large families of 5+: 15-20+ gallon
- Frequent entertainers: 20+ gallon
- Limited kitchen space: Slim 10-13 gallon
These recommendations provide a starting point. But your household's specific habits may call for adjustments up or down. When in doubt, initially size up to prevent frequent overflows.
Choosing the Right Can
Selecting your kitchen trash can involves a few key steps:
- Take measurements of the space under your sink or in your corners.
- Track your kitchen's trash output for one week.
- Factor in your household habits and types of waste.
- Use our size recommendations as an initial guideline.
- Look for durable cans with convenient design features.
- Adjust your size after a few weeks if needed.
Small Space Solutions
What if your kitchen is short on space for a full-size can? Try these small space solutions:
- Mount smaller cans under cabinets to maximize floor area.
- Place slim rectangular cans in corners.
- Opt for smaller cans in easy access spots.
- Get creative with layouts to make every inch count.
You can also reduce waste output with reusable products, diligent recycling, and composting food scraps. Then a smaller trash can makes sense despite limited square footage.
Watch for these signs that indicate you need a bigger kitchen trash can:
- Frequently overflowing with trash
- Odor between emptying
- Taking out the trash every day
- Exterior of can gets dirty
- Struggling to tie trash bags closed
- Can't fit waste from cooking or events
A properly sized kitchen trash can makes waste disposal easier with less hassle. Take time to assess your household's unique needs. With our guidance, you can confidently choose the ideal size can for your kitchen and lifestyle!