Where to Put the Garbage Can in the Kitchen. Brilliant Idea for Small Spaces
- Olga Shavrina
- Jan 1, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 13
Home / All posts / Household / Where to Put the Garbage Can in the Kitchen. Brilliant Idea for Small Spaces
Where to put the garbage can in the kitchen is a surprisingly common problem – especially in small spaces where every centimeter matters. A poorly placed trash can can disrupt workflow, look messy, and make waste sorting harder than it should be. After a lot of trial and research, I found a brilliant zero-space solution that solves this problem – and I’m happy to share it here.
I’m thrilled to share this discovery: I’ve finally organized my trash in a convenient way, and now separating it is super easy. The solution I found is so simple and elegant, I can’t stop telling everyone about it.
My Requirements for Trash Management in the Kitchen:
Limited space: small kitchen, minimal space under two sinks.
Hidden trash: no visible containers due to space constraints and preference.
Five trash types: plastic, glass, paper, organic, and generic.
Easy disposal: frequent waste containers (plastic, organic, generic) need effortless access; glass and paper, less so.
Sustainability: avoid additional plastic; use existing garbage cans for organic and generic waste.
Budget-friendly: no expensive solutions like under-cabinet bins or high-tech trash systems.
After exploring various options, I found the ideal solution – a hanging, over-the-cabinet-door trash bag holder for plastic waste. It’s incredibly convenient and ensures that recyclable plastics are easily separated from general waste.
Pictures on Amazon and other websites usually suggest putting a bag holder on the outside of the door to use for organic waste, but in my view, it's pretty disgusting :) So, I prefer keeping it on the inside and putting clean plastic waste in it. It works brilliantly!
Wall Mounted Bin Bag Holder: A Zero-Space Solution
This is my hero ☞ a Trash Bag Holder for Cupboards Kitchen Cabinet Door now living under my sink and making me happy.
✅ Cheap.
✅ Super handy!
✅ Non-plastic.
✅ Surprisingly strong! I've been using it for a year already, and it's still in place.
✅ Versatile: suitable for any type of garbage or other bags. I have two in a package; I use one for plastic trash and the other for a bag with bags. :)
More Over the Door Trash Bag Holders for a Small Kitchen
I’ve selected a few trash bag holders that can be mounted on a cabinet door under the sink—an ideal solution for a small kitchen. Choose the option that best fits your space and style. If you’re like me and trying to figure out where to put a garbage can in the kitchen, take a look at these products and your under-sink cabinet – you might find the perfect match.
Best Location for a Garbage Can in the Kitchen
The best location for a garbage can in the kitchen is one that supports your natural workflow while staying out of sight and out of the way. Ideally, the trash should be placed close to food prep areas but not in high-traffic zones, so it’s easy to use without cluttering the space.
In small kitchens, traditional floor bins take up valuable room, which is why hanging over-the-door or wall-mounted options placed inside a cabinet – especially under the sink – are a win-win solution: they stay hidden, take up virtually no space, and sit exactly where you need them.
Author's Take on the Best Location for Garbage Can in the Kitchen
I live in an apartment with a small kitchen. It’s long, with cabinets on both sides, and all the space in the middle is shared between me cooking, my cats eating, and a robot vacuum cleaner’s charging station. There’s literally no room for a trash can – not even a tiny one.
Being very eco-conscious, I separate waste into four groups: organic, paper, recyclables (plastic and metal), and everything else. I have two sinks, and the space under one of them is half taken up by an osmosis water-filtering system. Given all of this, here’s how my setup works:
Paper goes into a paper bag that stands next to the osmosis system, taking up all the space under one sink.
Bins for organic and non-recyclable waste sit under the second sink, with just a small corner left for a few glass jars.
I struggled to find a place where to put a trash can for plastic and metal waste in my small kitchen for years, which was incredibly frustrating – until I came across a hanging trash bag holder that attaches to the inside of a kitchen cabinet door. It allows me to hang a medium-sized trash bag there specifically for plastic waste.
I also organized the same system under the second sink to store bags inside a bag. With that, all my trash and bag-storage problems are finally solved. What a relief!
FAQ on Kitchen Trash Can Solutions for Small Apartments
How can I sort waste efficiently in a small kitchen?
Utilize space-saving solutions like cabinet door-mounted trash bag holders. These keep waste hidden and organized without occupying floor space. Trash can cabinets and pull-out waste bin solutions can be a really amazing idea, but they are a bit costly that might be a concern especially in a rented apartment.
What types of waste can I separate using this over-the-door or wall mounted trash bag holders?
You can easily sort various waste types such as plastic, paper, and general waste by assigning different bags or containers for each category. I wouldn’t recommend using it for glass, as it can be dangerous. Organic waste might be a bit tricky to separate this way, but for small quantities and with a paper drainage layer, with compostable garbage bags, it can work just fine.
Can I repurpose existing containers for waste sorting?
Absolutely. Using existing containers like bins or baskets for different waste types is a cost-effective and sustainable approach.
Can I separate recycling in a small kitchen?
Yes. Using multiple hanging bags or compact bins inside cabinets makes it possible to separate recyclables even in very limited kitchen spaces.
#️⃣ Tags: Eco-friendly packaging, DIY green solutions
Brilliant indeed! I was looking for somethig this simple and elegant!
Brilliant!