The Clever Reason You Need A Second Trash Can In Your Kitchen - Tasting Table

A kitchen trash can collects many types of waste, including plastic, coffee grounds, and food scraps. Keeping it central and cleaning it regularly helps prevent odors. Carrying a heavy trash can bag can cause spills, so a mini trash can is a practical alternative. A hanging mini bin can attach under a cabinet and is sized for most kitchens, with some models expandable so scraps can be scooped directly during chopping. Using a liner or transferring scraps to the main trash can and rinsing the bin helps maintain cleanliness. Countertop bins with covers can work when hanging options are not possible, but they require frequent cleaning to avoid fruit flies. Smaller bins encourage more regular emptying, while larger bins may suit heavy veggie or scrap use. A bowl near the cooking area can reduce walking, and a receptacle near a coffee machine can collect grounds conveniently.

"Trash cans can be heavy, and lugging around just the bag puts you at imminent risk of leaving a liquid trail on your floor. A mini trash can, which can hang from a cabinet underneath your counter, is a far better idea. These Navaris Hanging Kitchen Waste Bins are the perfect size for most kitchens and are available at Walmart for around $16. Many of these models are expandable, allowing you to pull them out and scoop all of your peels and scraps right into them as you're chopping, thus limiting the number of trips to the big, cumbersome trash can."

"Add a liner to your bin, or just transfer the scraps to your normal trash can and give it a quick rinse after using it. If you don't have a lip to fit your hanging trash can, you can always resort to one that fits on your countertop and has a cover. We recommend cleaning it out every time you use it; otherwise, it can become a source of pesky fruit flies."

"A smaller bin encourages more regular emptying, though if you cook a lot of veggies or foods that have a lot of scraps, a larger bin may be a better investment. If you are looking to take the investment component out, however, a bowl will do. It will help you save time while you're cooking, since you don't have to walk back and forth to your trash can to empty your scraps."

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