Cutting It Close? Use Our Guide to Pick the Perfect Kitchen Trash Receptacle Size
When it comes to kitchen trash cans, size matters. You want one that fits your space while meeting your household's waste needs. A receptacle that's too small fills up fast, demanding frequent emptying. But go too big, and you'll struggle to carry and clean the bulky bin.
Getting the measurements right keeps odors at bay while allowing enough capacity. Our guide covers recommended dimensions plus factors that determine ideal kitchen garbage can sizes.
What Size Trash Can Does Your Kitchen Need?
Standard kitchen trash bins range from as small as 5 gallons to jumbo 50+ gallon containers. Consider layout, storage, and maintenance access when picking dimensions.
Average Kitchen Trash Can Sizes
Here are some of the most popular kitchen garbage can capacities along with their pros and cons:
13-Gallon Cans
This 13-gallon pick works well for most households, holding about one week's waste. The medium footprint fits discretely under counters without consuming much floor space. Takes 2-3 bags to fill. If you recycle and compost though, a smaller 5-7 gallon version could work.
16-Gallon Cans
Perfect for family homes producing large amounts of daily waste. Holds over a week's worth of trash if just one person is throwing away. Easy to access and lift even when full. Can be too bulky for tiny kitchens.
20-Gallon Cans
Extra-large households might need this 20+ gallon capacity. Great for busy spaces generating piles of daily rubbish. Sturdy steel builds stand up to heavy loads without straining. Giant profile demands proper positioning.
Measuring Kitchen Space
You don't want your trash receptacle crammed in an awkward corner or blocking foot routes. Measure between cabinets, counters, appliances, and doorways first. This gives target dimensions for can height, width, and depth when shopping.
Jot down vertical limitations between countertop and lower shelf or ceiling. Then span any narrow gaps where the unit must squeeze in. Include a few bonus inches for easy removability too.
Typical Household Waste Production
How fast your bin fills dictates size needs too. Here's the average garbage household residents generate weekly:
- 1 person - 1 kitchen bag
- 2 people - 1-2 kitchen bags
- 4 people - 2-3 kitchen bags
- 6 people - 4+ kitchen bags
Standard tall kitchen bags hold 30-45 liters or 8-12 gallons. Now match your population and weekly loads to suitable capacities. Bins should handle waste between emptying without overflow or excessive room left.
Key Factors That Impact Kitchen Trash Can Capacity Needs
Along with space and waste amounts, other elements affect what size your kitchen requires. Here are key considerations when picking dimensions:
Household Size and Composition
Larger families and full houses make more garbage obviously. But age matters too. Toddlers and seniors in diapers increase trash production. Teenagers consume more individually packaged convenience foods. So tailor capacity to who lives there and their ages and lifestyles.
Food Waste Generation
What and how much you cook determines organic waste created. Double-income professional couples eating takeout makes less scraps than larger families cooking elaborate feasts. Lots of home prep also means more spoiled leftovers and trimmings hitting the bin.
Recycling and Composting Habits
Dedicated recyclers can downsize their indoor cans. Sorting paper, plastic, glass and metals into separate curbside bins leaves mostly non-recyclable residue trash. Compost piles also remove 30-50% of waste weight via fruit peels, egg shells and yard clippings.
| Standard 2 Person Household | 13-16 gallon bin |
| With Recycling | 5-7 gallon bin |
| With Recycling + Composting | 5 gallon bin |
Cleaning and Maintenance Routines
Staying on top of household cleaning cuts daily mess that adds up. Following strict maintenance schedules like cleaning as you cook keeps more scraps and wrappers from missing the bin. Deep cleaning weekly also limits dust and crumbs accumulating over time.
Pet Ownership
Furry family members up the waste ante via soiled litter, shedding fur and food packaging. Just one cat or dog nudges capacity needs up by 20-30%. Multiple animals create even more trash from pet beds, toys and treats. So make sure your bin has room for messy animal activity.
Special Considerations for Odor Control
Foul smells are a common kitchen bin complaint, especially with food waste present. Certain features help neutralize nasty odors before they spread.
Charcoal filters embedded in lids use adsorption to trap gaseous compounds behind microscopic pores. Replaceable cartridges keep the cleaning power fresh for months. Gel pouches and sachets filled with odor eliminators sit directly in cans neutralizing smells on contact.
FAQ on Kitchen Trash Can Sizes
Still unsure what trash can dimensions fit your home? Here are answers to frequent kitchen receptacle capacity questions:
What size garbage can should I have in my kitchen?
The standard kitchen trash bin capacity is 13 gallons. This accommodates average single family household waste for 5-7 days reasonably well. Size up or down 5-10 gallons based on recycling, composting, and resident lifestyles.
What is the best kitchen garbage can size?
There is no universally "best" kitchen trash can size. You need one that fits the cabinet layout with capacity matching weekly waste amounts. Measure your space first, then get the smallest bin allowing 1.5 times your normal rubbish.
Can I use a bigger kitchen trash can?
Oversize kitchen garbage cans strain lifting and cleaning. Limit capacity to your weekly waste estimates adding just 1-2 extra days' worth. Adjust pickup schedules first before buying an oversized receptacle you struggle to manage.
Should I get a smaller kitchen trash can?
Downsizing makes sense if you compost or recycle heavily. But take care not to downgrade too much. Too small and you're emptying every 1-2 days. Find the balance between capacity and convenience.
Choosing the right kitchen trash receptacle size takes measuring your space, waste habits and lifestyle. Consider where the bin sits and how often it's emptied too. Add some growth room without overdoing dimensions based on your household's unique needs.
Take time to make your pick. Rushing into an ill-fitting garbage can leaves you overflowing, struggling to haul it or fighting smells. Carefully balanced sizing keeps kitchen waste management running smoothly all year.