A Short Guide to Kitchen Bin Sizes

Kitchens can be quite tricky to design and accessorise because, in addition to being stylish and functional, all spaces and surfaces used to prepare and store food must also be hygienic and easy to clean. These requirements place waste bins high on the list of essential kitchen accessories. But what is the best bin size and type for your kitchen?

Modern pedal bins are especially popular among homeowners because of their aesthetic value but also because they enable easy and touch-free waste disposal and have a lid that can prevent the spread of unpleasant odours. In small kitchens, space-saving solutions, such as in-cabinet waste bins, can be used to keep waste out of sight and save valuable floor space. From small kitchen bins for food waste to large recycling bins and stations, there's a vast range of options to choose from, depending on your household waste management needs and practices, as well as available space.

In the article below, we'll take a closer look at different bin sizes and their purpose to help you find the best kitchen bin for your residential or commercial space.

How Big Should Your Kitchen Bin Be?

To decide whether you need a small, medium or large size bin, think about the amount of waste your household generates daily. This will give you a rough estimate of how many litres your kitchen bin should be able to hold. Why is this important?

While you may be tempted to choose the largest bin, it may end up unnecessarily taking up floor space without ever even being used to its full litre capacity. The reason for this is simple: kitchen waste, such as food scraps and leftovers, can start to rot pretty quickly, producing unpleasant smells and attracting pests and insects in the process. To avoid such risks, kitchen bins should be emptied regularly, which means that a smaller size bin is generally a much better option for residential purposes.

On the other hand, picking a bin that's too small for your needs is not very practical either. Taking the rubbish out is no one's favourite activity, so you don't want a waste bin that will fill up too quickly and require many trips to your wheelie bins with full bin bags.

What Are the Most Common Kitchen Bin Sizes?

• 10–30 litres: A small kitchen bin is a good option for small households (one or two people) and small spaces. You can also usually opt for smaller bins if you segregate and use, e.g., a general waste bin, recycling bin, and food waste caddy instead of using the same bin for all types of waste.

• 30–40 litres: While a little bit bigger, such bins do not take up too much space and are a great choice for smaller families and kitchens, especially when combined with recycling bins. Bigger families sometimes choose them as a space-saving solution, but depending on the amount of waste typical for each household, they may require regular trips to the wheelie bin.

• 40–60 litres: These kitchen bins are meant for large families and households that generate a lot of waste, e.g., due to regular cooking. 40- or 60-litre bins can also be used by smaller households for general dry waste that doesn't need to be emptied as often as organic waste, or as a recycling bin.

• Over 60 litres: The biggest kitchen bin sizes are for large households or even commercial kitchens in hotels and restaurants. Before choosing a bin this big, it's always a good idea to take a minute to consider whether it's a practical choice. Keep in mind that you'll need to empty it and take the bin bag to your wheelie bin or communal bin, which can be difficult with very bulky or heavy bags.

Why Are Kitchen Bins Available in So Many Sizes?

Different households have different needs when it comes to waste management. Many factors, including lifestyle and eating habits, the number of residents and the frequency of rubbish collection, can all affect the number and size of bins your household needs.

While standard 20-litre kitchen bins will be enough for small households, if you have a large family, the amount of waste generated daily will be bigger and require a larger bin or more frequent emptying. It's also important to remember that kitchens in office spaces and commercial kitchens have their own unique waste disposal needs.

Another important thing to consider is the type of waste. Bins for general waste, including food and organic waste, should be emptied every two days or even daily to avoid smells and bacteria, so they do not need to be able to hold rubbish accumulated over many days.

On the other hand, dry waste and recyclables, such as paper, plastic and glass, can be stored for longer (as long as there are no leftover food residues in the containers), which means that your recycling bins can be bigger as there is no need to empty them that often. Many homeowners choose big recycling stations to keep all recyclables in one place before collection day.

How to Choose the Right Kitchen Bin Size

What Is the Size of Your Household?

As a general rule of thumb, the bigger your family is, the more waste your household generates. But as many other factors can play a big role, there's no useful tip like adding another ten litres of bin capacity for every family member.

You can estimate the necessary kitchen bin size based on how many litres your wheelie bins have. This is the easiest way to find out how much waste your household generates every week or every two weeks (depending on the rubbish collection schedule in your area).

How Often Do You Cook?

Both cooking and ordering takeaway can result in a lot of different types of waste, from food scraps to food cans and various other food containers. Make sure to factor your eating habits in when choosing bins for your kitchen. If you cook every day, it may also be a good idea to add a separate container specifically for food and organic waste.

Do You Recycle?

Recycling is an eco-friendly habit that's becoming the norm across the country. Whether you already segregate waste or you're thinking about starting now, properly labelled and functional recycling bins will help you keep your kitchen tidy.

Choose High-Quality Kitchen Bins From ALDA!

At ALDA, we have a wide selection of bins in many styles and sizes, perfect for all types of kitchens. Whether you're looking for stylish pedal bins or functional recycling stations, you can count on the quality and durability of every single one of our products. Browse our offer to find the right kitchen bin for your home or business.