Choosing a Garbage Bin: from Simple to Complex

From wooden crates to smart technology

Such a simple and familiar object as a trash can came into use relatively recently: wooden boxes with lids appeared in Paris at the end of the 19th century, and in Moscow even later, less than a hundred years ago. In such a short period of time, waste containers have been transformed and are now presented in a wide variety of modifications: from ordinary open buckets to sensor containers and new generation devices that can compress, freeze or even recycle waste. And if it’s easy to decide on the first option, the choice of an innovative model requires a more careful approach.

How to choose a trash can?

In order for a bucket to successfully cope with its main function – storing garbage, many parameters will have to be taken into account when choosing it. Let’s start with the most obvious ones – volume, shape, material.

Volume

The first step is to choose the size of the bucket: too small will quickly overflow, too much waste will accumulate for a long time and smell unpleasant. The required size of the garbage bin is determined based on the size of the family. A 5-liter container is enough for one person, three people need a trash can with a volume of 15 liters or more.

Location

Most often, the garbage container is placed under the sink, but this is not the only option: the container can be installed in a kitchen cabinet, hung on a cabinet door, or embedded under a countertop. The trash can also stand outside, and in order not to draw too much attention to it, in this case it is better to choose discreet colors that are close to the tones of kitchen furniture. But you don’t have to hide stylish designer models – they will fit with dignity in any interior.

The form

The shape of the garbage bin will largely depend on the location. It is easiest to place a rectangular or triangular trash can in a cabinet, niche or against a wall; a round bucket will need a little more space. But it is better to refuse from too complex configurations with internal protrusions: dirt and microbes will accumulate in the corners, and it is more difficult to wash such containers.

Material

Modern waste garbage bin are made mainly of two materials: plastic or stainless steel. The advantage of plastic buckets is lightness and affordability: prices for them start at 200 rubles. Steel is about twice as heavy and more expensive – from 1,500 rubles, but they are stronger and more durable.

 Types of trash cans

Having decided on the dimensions and material, we turn to the main thing – we choose the appropriate container design. Depending on the design features, trash cans are divided into many varieties:

• open,
• with lid,
• with a pedal,
• with the press,
• built-in,
• sensory,
• sorting systems.

Open buckets

There are original solutions: for example, the Japanese Tubelor bucket consists of two parts. A garbage bag is inserted into the lower bucket of a smaller diameter, and a decorative part made of bright plastic is put on top.

Minuses. Due to the lack of a lid, it is only suitable for dry waste: paper, cardboard, plastic, husk or shell.

Buckets with a lid

Buckets with lids and flaps are presented in the assortment of the German company Wesco, the Dutch company Brabantia , Koziol cost – from 250 to 300 Dollars.

Pros. The buckets are easy to use and versatile: the lid blocks odors.

Cons. The lid is removable, hinged or fixed open. But in any case, you have to take it, hold it or close it with your hand.

Pedal Buckets

Pros. You do not need to touch the lid with your hands – to open the trash can, just press the pedal with your foot. Another advantage is compactness: these buckets are usually narrow and do not need much space.

Minuses. The pedal mechanism will wear out over time and the cover will warp. The bucket cannot be hidden behind the front of the curbstone: it is impossible to use the pedal there.

Press buckets

The trash can, equipped with a press, allows you to tamp waste and pack the resulting briquettes in a special film. The press is a manually retractable lid, mechanical or electric pedal.

Pros. Compressed waste takes up little space and more waste can fit in the bucket. Unpleasant odor is excluded. Pedal and electric models keep your hands clean.

Minuses. Large size and high price: you will have to pay more than 300 dollars for a bucket with an electric press. A manual model can be bought even cheaper – from 450 dollars but the lid will have to be washed after use. The press bucket is not suitable for food leftovers: they cannot be stored for a long time.

Built-in buckets

Garbage bins are built into a kitchen cabinet, a sink niche, under a worktop, or they are fixed on the door of one of the cabinets using static holders or a rotary carousel. In the cabinets and under the sink, pull-out containers are often installed, fixed on rails.

Pros. Saving internal space. Convenience: retractable models go out when the door is opened. In this case, you don’t even need to lift the lid – it is fixed inside the cabinet. The containers built into the worktop can be placed in any convenient place, for example, next to the sink. Often they are equipped with a lid with a garbage shredder. A wide range of built-in waste garbage bin can be found from the Dutch manufacturer Brabantia.

trash compactors selected by CompuKitchen

Sensory buckets

Ther trash compactors selected by CompuKitchen touch-sensitive trash cans are battery-powered and equipped with an infrared motion sensor, so that the lid opens automatically – just bring your hand to it – and closes after a few seconds. The smartest models can even determine the size of the trash and will open just as much as needed.

Pros. Contact with the cover is excluded. These containers are usually compact and designed for a long service life.

Minuses. It is necessary to regularly change the batteries and keep the sensor clean: if it gets dirty, the cover will stop responding to movement.

 Sorting systems

Pros . Environmental friendliness. It is convenient to use such systems if there is a separate collection of garbage where you live.

Cons . They take up a lot of space, special mounts are required for installation. This is the most expensive option: the price of several tanks starts from 4000 and goes up to 35,000 rubles.

How to care for your trash can

To make the bin last longer, just follow a few simple rules for caring for it:

• take out the trash every day;
• use garbage bags that are slightly larger than the bucket in volume – this will ensure its cleanliness;
• before covering a new bag, wipe the bucket with a damp cloth, wipe it dry and sprinkle a little soda on the bottom of the container;
• Another way to eliminate unpleasant odors is to add a few drops of citrus essential oils to the wash water;
• in built-in models, charcoal filters can be used for the same purpose;
• strong dirt is removed with a stiff brush and a disinfectant detergent.