Types of Trash Cans & Recycling Bins

Any home, public office, or public space needs a disposal unit, and they come in different shapes and sizes. You can choose from kitchen Simplehuman cans for Simplehuman bags, compost bins for organic waste, and large bins for outdoor waste, to name a few.
We all want to get rid of our waste in the most efficient way possible. So before you settle for a particular type of trash can, you should know of the existing options and consider the best to spend your hard-earned money on.

Lidless vs Covered Trash Cans

Trash cans come with or without lids, and there are a variety to choose from depending on how they work. If you opt for the one with a lid, you also get to choose the mechanics for opening it; this could be by foot, hand, or even a motion sensor

●     Touchless, covered trash cans

Garbage disposal units can carry all kinds of recyclables and trash. Because of this, these cans are not something you want to touch with your hands, particularly if you are in the kitchen. For this reason, most people opt for touchless trash cans that use motion sensors or require a foot pedal to open. This makes them particularly convenient to use when you have full hands. The downside, however, is that they are relatively more expensive, and the mechanisms are prone to breaking.

●     Trash cans without the lid

This is the most basic design yet, as it comes with the top uncovered. Thus, it is perfect for trash that requires fast and easy removal. A good example is the paper bin by your office desk, where you throw pieces of paper without even looking. You can also find this type of bin in restaurants, where you can easily dispose of food containers and food wrappers with no need to touch them.

Among the pros of this type of trash can is that you can see when the trash is full, which makes it so much easier to waste. However, this trash can has a downside—it does not contain odors, making it not usable for organic waste. It is also prone to messiness when it tips over.

Types of Recycling Bins

Depending on what you are going to use it for, there is a variety of bin materials to choose from:

Stainless steel cans—For indoor purposes, you could go for the stainless steel kind. These are resistant to rust and fingerprints, and most people consider them modern and upscale. For a lightweight and sleek design, there are always aluminum options.

Plastic bins – Individuals who are after style and design and want a variety of colors and finishes can go for plastic trash cans. These are particularly perfect for indoor spaces. Among the popular types are plastic bins that come in three specific colors, brown, green, and blue representing different wastes. The blue ones are great for containers and plastic bottles, the brown bins are for metals, paper, and cardboard and the green ones are for recyclable plastic. 

Compost bins – When it comes to the most common type of waste; organic materials and food scraps, compost bins ought to be mentioned. They are perfect for reducing waste and an added advantage if you happen to love gardening. Most people are aware that composting kitchen waste creates nutrient-rich soil that enhances your soil and helps plants grow.  All the stuff you dump breaks down and is turned to compost which acts as a great fertilizer. You can either make your own or buy one.

Concrete Bins -.If you are looking for a recycle bin that is durable enough to withstand impacts and weather, you ought to go for concrete. In addition to durability, it is also rugged and comes with a natural look that is perfect for outdoor spaces.

The Takeaway

When deciding on what bin to get, your final choice ultimately lies in the type of waste your home produces. You don’t always have to limit yourself to one trash can for all kinds of waste. Why not buy several and separate your waste? You could set aside one for regular trash, another for compost, and finally, one for recycling. Doing this will not only make it much simpler for you to manage your waste but it will also be good for the environment.