How to Choose the Right Bin Sizes
From wheelies to waste baskets
With a range of sizes available, buying the right-sized rubbish bin is often difficult. Should you have a small or larger kitchen bin? What about recycling bins? What bins do I need for the bathroom, bedroom and office? Read our guide to find a rubbish bin to suit every room in your home.
Rubbish Bin Sizes
Bins are measured in litres (l) and start from 7 litres for a typical waste paper bin to over 60 litres for a larger kitchen waste disposals and outdoor wheelie bins.
Kitchen Bins
Most of the waste you produce will be thrown into the kitchen bin. Since you'll be using this bin the most frequently, your kitchen bin should be the largest receptacle in your house. Kitchen rubbish bins typically range from 10 to 50 litres, depending on how often you cook and how many people live in your home. For a household of two to three people, it’s best to get a bin on the smaller side of the range. Families of four to five people should get a midrange kitchen bin, and any household with more than five members should opt for a 50 litre. trash can.
Bathroom bins tend to be on the smaller side, from 4 to 10 litres. These bins are smaller as they gather mostly paper waste and fill more slowly than a kitchen bin. They also tend to be smaller to suit the bathroom’s limited space. If you're the only one using your bathroom, get the smallest litre capacity bin available. If your bathroom accommodates more than three people, get a bin on the larger side, ranging between 8 and 10 litres.
Do you often find that your bathroom countertop is littered with used cotton pads? In that case, a countertop waste basket may be the ideal solution. At 2 litres or less, these bins are the smallest in size and are meant for disposal of vanity items such as cotton pads and balls. They comfortably fit on most bathroom vanities and don't take up too much space, all while providing a convenient disposal method.
Tip: If you prefer to keep your rubbish out of sight, choose an under-the-counter bin, but make sure to measure your cabinet before you make your purchase. Your bin should be shorter than the cabinet to give you space to place your rubbish.
Office Waste Paper Bins
Office waste paper bins tend to be 7 – 10 litres, sometimes less. A lot of people share an office waste paper bin, but these bins are emptied more often and are used for smaller items like food wrappers, notes or envelopes. This means it does not have to hold as much as a personal kitchen bin. This size is suitable for other kinds of communal spaces as well, such as a bedroom or library.
Outdoor Wheelie Bin / Recycling Bins
The largest personal-use bins are wheelie and recycling bins. These bins are usually anywhere over 60 litres and are meant to hold a week’s worth of waste until the bin men come to pick up and take away its contents. If you live alone or with one other person, we recommend a 50 litre wheelie bin. If you're a family of four, we recommend 60 litres. If you have a household of five or more, make sure to opt for a wheelie and recycling bin that are larger than 60 litres.
