How to Get Your Rubbish and Recycling Cabinets Right
Personalise your kitchen waste storage with the best bin configuration and pullout system
Waste pullouts are a secret weapon of the well-oiled kitchen machine. They do the dirty job of handling your rubbish, recycling and more. But what makes them better than a regular rubbish bin? Actually, a pullout bin can have quite a few advantages, both in style and function. Here are some reasons why one deserves a space in your kitchen.
Need a pro for your complete kitchen renovation project?
Let Houzz find the best pros for you
Let Houzz find the best pros for you
Seamless integration
Because a waste pullout is essentially just a very deep drawer, it can easily be integrated into the look of your cabinetry, bringing some great contemporary functionality even to traditional schemes.
Because a waste pullout is essentially just a very deep drawer, it can easily be integrated into the look of your cabinetry, bringing some great contemporary functionality even to traditional schemes.
In fact, it’s quite common for a pullout drawer to be faced with multiple false fronts to help it blend more seamlessly into a cabinet scheme. Here, the three-drawer front on the pullout copies the look of the nearby drawers, so the Shaker fronts aren’t interrupted by a single massive drawer.
Ease of use
If you cook often, one of the trickiest and yet most common tasks is sweeping away the remnants from chopping. You can carefully carry a chopping board to the bin, or you can bring the bin to the chopping board. But locating your compost pullout below a chopping zone means you can sweep waste directly into the bin with ease.
If you cook often, one of the trickiest and yet most common tasks is sweeping away the remnants from chopping. You can carefully carry a chopping board to the bin, or you can bring the bin to the chopping board. But locating your compost pullout below a chopping zone means you can sweep waste directly into the bin with ease.
Notice how this kitchen has a discreet waste cabinet below the butcher’s block section of the worktop. Before, you might not have noticed this powerful combo, but now that you know what to look for, you’ll notice it every time.
Here’s another smart take on this idea: a pullout chopping block (in place of a typical drawer) positioned above a waste pullout, with a simple hole to allow for trimmings to be swept directly into the bin.
This is a great option for small kitchens, as the whole chopping station can be closed away when not in use, and the main worktop can still be used for other things.
Ready to find a professional to renovate your home? Look no further than the Houzz Professionals Directory, where you can see past projects and read client reviews for pros in your area.
This is a great option for small kitchens, as the whole chopping station can be closed away when not in use, and the main worktop can still be used for other things.
Ready to find a professional to renovate your home? Look no further than the Houzz Professionals Directory, where you can see past projects and read client reviews for pros in your area.
Waste sorting
Pullout cabinets aren’t just useful for holding your rubbish bins. Many local authorities require recycling to be sorted into glass, paper and so on, and this requires managing multiple bins.
Pullout cabinets aren’t just useful for holding your rubbish bins. Many local authorities require recycling to be sorted into glass, paper and so on, and this requires managing multiple bins.
Depending on the system you use, you can easily have space for two sizeable bins, or many smaller ones, configured with one tucked behind the other in a full-depth cabinet, or side by side, or another configuration to suit your needs.
For example, this system uses four small angled bins, which allow for rubbish, paper, glass and plastic to all go in their own compartments within one convenient drawer.
This wide drawer places multiple sizeable bins side by side, while still leaving room in the back for the sink plumbing.
Ultimately, the exact configuration that’s best for you will depend on your layout and your typical food waste, but a system like this that holds freestanding bins can always be reconfigured a bit down the line if your needs change.
You might also like These Are the Tidying Methods Experts Swear By.
Ultimately, the exact configuration that’s best for you will depend on your layout and your typical food waste, but a system like this that holds freestanding bins can always be reconfigured a bit down the line if your needs change.
You might also like These Are the Tidying Methods Experts Swear By.
Odour control
One major concern that people often have with waste bins is the odours that can linger in the kitchen. There are several possible ways to combat this issue, and one is by using compartments with individual lids for food waste.
One major concern that people often have with waste bins is the odours that can linger in the kitchen. There are several possible ways to combat this issue, and one is by using compartments with individual lids for food waste.
Some waste pullout systems even integrate a special bin with a securely sealing lid specifically to hold food waste, so you don’t have to change it with excessive frequency just to keep odours in check. Keep in mind how quickly it will fill; you’ll want to plan ahead so food waste isn’t left sitting exposed to the air for too long.
Another option is to put different types of waste into their own cabinets with appropriately sized bins, so you only have to open the relevant compartment at any particular time. You can devote more space to plastics and less to food waste, or vice versa, depending on your needs.
All-in-one storage
If you want to make sure nobody has an excuse for not emptying the bin when it’s full, try a pullout that includes a small storage drawer inside, so you can keep bin bags and related products right by the bins themselves.
If you want to make sure nobody has an excuse for not emptying the bin when it’s full, try a pullout that includes a small storage drawer inside, so you can keep bin bags and related products right by the bins themselves.
You can also use interior drawers to split compartments into smaller subcompartments or to keep cleaning products or deodorisers on hand.
I particularly enjoy this unique setup that features a spot for paper towels above the waste bins.
It’s also part of a small drawer for storing tea towels, so not a centimetre of space is wasted.
A range of price points
Want a fully luxe look? For just a little extra investment, a system like this one with side panels (which can be custom-fitted by your cabinet-maker) will more fully cover the bins for a discreet look when the cabinet is open.
Want a fully luxe look? For just a little extra investment, a system like this one with side panels (which can be custom-fitted by your cabinet-maker) will more fully cover the bins for a discreet look when the cabinet is open.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the budget spectrum, pullout systems integrated into a standard door cabinet can turn any underused space into a waste zone, with room for multiple bins without a total renovation. Plus, for dexterous chefs, they can be pulled and pushed by foot to facilitate disposal even when hands are full.
Tell us…
Are you planning to integrate pullout bins into your kitchen? Which one of these ideas would work best for you? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Tell us…
Are you planning to integrate pullout bins into your kitchen? Which one of these ideas would work best for you? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Sponsored
Reload the page to not see this specific ad anymore
When you think about your dream kitchen, what do you imagine? I’ll bet the rubbish bin is not the first thing that comes to mind. But then, this is the whole point of a waste pullout – it tucks the rubbish, recycling and other waste bins out of sight, but within easy access. That way, you don’t have to look at a messy freestanding bin or struggle with a tiny, seemingly always full can tucked under the sink.