Talking trash cans with experts who know what you need to keep your kitchen clean

Maia Roffey loves to talk trash. Literally. As a Toronto-based interior designer, she often helps people find solutions for their waste. “It’s something I’m passionate about,” she says. “Call me Oscar the Grouch.”

Garbage gurus are something many people need. Waste management, particularly in the kitchen, can be complicated. Depending on the municipality, there is a need to separate organics from landfill waste and from different types of recyclables.

This begs the question: Which bins are best for the task?

To determine the right receptacle, Roffey always starts by understanding the needs of the family. “I look at how my clients are living,” she says, “how much garbage they might be producing, how often they eat in or out, whether they have multiple kids or pets.”

Organizing your home? Don’t overlook the humble wall hook

All-in-one units that slide out from a drawer are a popular choice. They combine separate compartments for the various kinds of refuse – papers, plastics or food scraps – in a convenient place, often near the sink and dishwasher. Roffey likes them because they are neat and discreet, blending in behind the cabinetry.

“I don’t like visible garbage cans,” she says. “And you don’t need to renovate a whole kitchen. It usually just requires converting one cabinet into a garbage centre.”

To determine the size, in general, 10 to 30 litres of capacity works well for singles and couples, while 30 to 60 litres makes more sense for families. But size can be an issue, requiring a certain amount of under-counter space, which might be limited – especially under the sink, where plumbing is often already butting up against cleaning supplies.

“Most people still think of waste as something that lives under the sink,” says Shahan Fancy, director of marketing and communications for Superior Cabinets, a kitchen and bath company in Saskatoon. “The key is planning bins around how you cook and clean. If the bins are easy to reach, easy to rinse nearby and easy to empty, people are far more likely to sort properly and keep the kitchen running smoothly.”

When all-in-one units don’t work, Fancy points out: “You don’t need a large built-in system to get organized. Even a simple lidded compost bin near the prep area can make daily cleanup easier and keep food waste from piling up in the main garbage.”

Compact compost bins don’t have to sit out on the counter, though. “I keep my organics bin in the freezer because I am a single-person household,” says Roffey. “I don’t produce enough to take it out to the green bin regularly, and I hate flies.”

For the rest of the waste, units that sit on the floor are sometimes the only option. But they do have a clear, if ironic, benefit. “Slide-out bins look cleaner,” says Calgary’s Sarah McAllister, the CEO of GoCleanCo, who has 2.5 million Instagram followers for her housekeeping advice. “But they’re a bit more high-maintenance. The drawer tracks, cabinet base and side crevices collect crumbs, drips and mystery splatter over time.”

Stand-alone bins, on the other hand, are less gunky, particularly if they are made with easy-to-wipe materials such as stainless steel. “You can pull them away from the wall, clean underneath them and take the entire bin outside to hose it out if needed,” says McAllister. “There are fewer moving parts and fewer hidden areas where debris can build up. I do find that the simpler the design of the stand-alone bin, the easier it is to keep clean.”

Six buys to try

When looking for kitchen waste containers, consider ease of use and ease of cleaning.

Simplehuman Compost Caddy

The Compost Caddy from Simplehuman comes with a magnetic mounting system. The sleek, four-litre bin can hang from the inside of a cupboard door or detach and sit on a kitchen counter during food prep. The stainless-steel construction makes it easy to wipe down.

Lee Valley Bottom-Mount Sliding Waste Containers

Lee Valley’s family-sized, 42-litre Bottom-Mount Sliding Waste Containers come with two removable bins that slide out on steel rails. One of the bins can be fitted with a dividing wall to accommodate the trifecta of trash — recycling, garbage and compost.

Brabantia Bo Step On Trash Can

Under-counter space can be in short supply, so hidden waste containers aren’t always an option. The Bo Step On Trash Can from Brabantia sits on the floor (with a grippy base to prevent slipping). Inside, three 11-litre containers (for garbage, recycling and compost) are accessed with a step-on lever, ideal for those who don’t like to touch the tops of trash cans.

Type A Tri-Sorter Stainless Steel Garbage Can

The Type A Tri-Sorter Stainless Steel Garbage Can is similar to the Bo Step On. However, each container has a capacity of 20 litres, better for busy kitchens and large families. Each container also has its own foot lever, helping to minimize the risk of cross contamination between the bins.

IKEA Hallbar

The Hallbar recycling solution includes two bins to handle different sorting requirements. One can be for paper, for example, and another for plastics and glass. Each 20-litre bin nestles into a pullout drawer and has a basket handle for easy curb-side carrying.

Rev-A-Shelf Steel Top Mount Pull-Out Waste Container

The Rev-A-Shelf Steel Top Mount Pull-Out Waste Container is concealed behind a drawer door to blend seamlessly with the rest of the kitchen cabinetry. A mix and match system of bins includes two to four receptacles depending on the household’s needs.