Need a New Under-Bench Bin? Don't Buy One Until You Read This
Win the war against waste with a slide-out rubbish bin – we asked three experts to share the secrets to buying well
Details count in a kitchen renovation, and a hardworking kitchen bin is one feature you’ll want to get right. The three kitchen design experts we spoke to agreed that a space-saving, pull-out bin is the way to go when it comes to managing waste. Here are their top tips for buying a style that ticks every box.
How many compartments do I need?
It really comes down to how much waste you produce, whether you need to include a compost bin in the set-up and separate bins for glass and paper, says Mikayla Rose, director of Melbourne design studio Heartly. “At the very minimum, you’ll need two large bins – one for rubbish and one for recycling. If you’re including a compost bin, make sure it has a well-sealed lid.”
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It really comes down to how much waste you produce, whether you need to include a compost bin in the set-up and separate bins for glass and paper, says Mikayla Rose, director of Melbourne design studio Heartly. “At the very minimum, you’ll need two large bins – one for rubbish and one for recycling. If you’re including a compost bin, make sure it has a well-sealed lid.”
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How big should it be?
The more people in your household, the larger the bin needs to be if you want to avoid having to empty it two or three times a day, says Phil Ryder, design and product manager at Kinsman Kitchens.
“I’d recommend a 450-millimetre-wide cabinet door front with a 64-litre bin capacity, consisting of two 32-litre bins,” says Riley.
“Bins fill up fast, so it’s best to get larger sizes than you think you’ll need. If you are worried about the smell, simply empty the bin more often, even if it is only half full. Having a large recycling bin is also imperative,” he says.
If your household produces a lot of rubbish or you want multiple bin compartments, consider upsizing to a 600-millimetre-wide bin set-up. “This size allows you to have two smaller bins next to the large waste and recycling bins, although most of my clients feel this size is too big as the cabinet takes up a lot of room in a kitchen,” he says.
The more people in your household, the larger the bin needs to be if you want to avoid having to empty it two or three times a day, says Phil Ryder, design and product manager at Kinsman Kitchens.
“I’d recommend a 450-millimetre-wide cabinet door front with a 64-litre bin capacity, consisting of two 32-litre bins,” says Riley.
“Bins fill up fast, so it’s best to get larger sizes than you think you’ll need. If you are worried about the smell, simply empty the bin more often, even if it is only half full. Having a large recycling bin is also imperative,” he says.
If your household produces a lot of rubbish or you want multiple bin compartments, consider upsizing to a 600-millimetre-wide bin set-up. “This size allows you to have two smaller bins next to the large waste and recycling bins, although most of my clients feel this size is too big as the cabinet takes up a lot of room in a kitchen,” he says.
“For families, we often recommend the Häfele Hailo Euro Cargo ST45, which has two large bins with a 76-litre capacity in total and a front-panel drawer width of only 450 millimetres. The larger the bins, the less you have to take out the rubbish,” says Rose.
“However, if you live alone and do not produce much waste, a smaller bin may be more appropriate as waiting to fill a large bin might end up being a bit on the nose.”
“However, if you live alone and do not produce much waste, a smaller bin may be more appropriate as waiting to fill a large bin might end up being a bit on the nose.”
What are the signs of quality to look for in a pull-out bin system?
Ryder says:
Ryder says:
- Soft-close runners.
- Runners with a high weight capacity.
- Plastic tubs for easy cleaning.
Where should I put an integrated bin?
“It’s best positioned next to the sink/dishwasher and close to the cooktop. This will allow you to quickly and easily scrape off food scraps before loading the dishwasher or throwing out packages or waste items while cooking at the stove,” says Ryder.
“If the sink cabinet is around 900 millimetres wide, I like to position the bins next to the sink cabinet so that all three doors are symmetrical,” adds Riley.
“It’s best positioned next to the sink/dishwasher and close to the cooktop. This will allow you to quickly and easily scrape off food scraps before loading the dishwasher or throwing out packages or waste items while cooking at the stove,” says Ryder.
“If the sink cabinet is around 900 millimetres wide, I like to position the bins next to the sink cabinet so that all three doors are symmetrical,” adds Riley.
“It is super handy to be able to scrape food from plates or cookware into a bin, rinse at the sink and then place the items directly into the dishwasher. Therefore we try to place the bin to one side of the sink and the dishwasher to the other,” says Rose.
“Other considerations include not locating the bin where someone often stands – for example, not directly under the sink or cooktop,” says Rose. “And we often try to keep the bin on the outer edge of the kitchen so that people can access it without having to come deep into the heart of the cooking space,” she says.
“Other considerations include not locating the bin where someone often stands – for example, not directly under the sink or cooktop,” says Rose. “And we often try to keep the bin on the outer edge of the kitchen so that people can access it without having to come deep into the heart of the cooking space,” she says.
Are all integrated bins much the same?
“They are all very similar and each brand has its pros and cons. The main con is that a lot of brands don’t fit Blum’s drawer runners. There are other brands that also have great runners but Blum are considered one of the best,” says Riley.
“Some bins have lids and handles, which some clients love and others don’t. The lid keeps flies out but also defeats the ease of a functional and clean pull-out bin system as you have to manually to lift it up every time.
“Height sizes differ a lot too so be careful that bins aren’t too short, especially for the recycling bin, which can fill up quickly with empty bottles of wine!” says Riley.
“Make sure the bins you choose are lightweight, durable and easy to remove as you will need to pull the whole bin out of the runners from time to time for cleaning,” adds Rose.
“They are all very similar and each brand has its pros and cons. The main con is that a lot of brands don’t fit Blum’s drawer runners. There are other brands that also have great runners but Blum are considered one of the best,” says Riley.
“Some bins have lids and handles, which some clients love and others don’t. The lid keeps flies out but also defeats the ease of a functional and clean pull-out bin system as you have to manually to lift it up every time.
“Height sizes differ a lot too so be careful that bins aren’t too short, especially for the recycling bin, which can fill up quickly with empty bottles of wine!” says Riley.
“Make sure the bins you choose are lightweight, durable and easy to remove as you will need to pull the whole bin out of the runners from time to time for cleaning,” adds Rose.
Here, the kitchen bin is concealed within the cabinet to the left of the sink. Interior design and styling: Heartly; image: Martina Gemmola
What’s new in bin-opening systems?
Electric opening systems such as Blum’s Servo-Drive are a game-changer, says Rose, as they allow you to open and close the bin drawer with just a nudge of your knee or foot – perfect for those times when your hands are full.
“Otherwise a reverse-bevel opening detail to the top of the panel will work well,” she says. “If you are using a handle, ensure it is easy to clean and grip as the drawer can get heavy when the bins are full.”
What’s new in bin-opening systems?
Electric opening systems such as Blum’s Servo-Drive are a game-changer, says Rose, as they allow you to open and close the bin drawer with just a nudge of your knee or foot – perfect for those times when your hands are full.
“Otherwise a reverse-bevel opening detail to the top of the panel will work well,” she says. “If you are using a handle, ensure it is easy to clean and grip as the drawer can get heavy when the bins are full.”
Ninka bin: Kinsman Kitchens
Are there any useful extras worth including?
“Consider an inner drawer above the bin and within the carcass to store your bin liners,” says Rose.
Browse more images of contemporary Australian kitchens on Houzz
Are there any useful extras worth including?
“Consider an inner drawer above the bin and within the carcass to store your bin liners,” says Rose.
Browse more images of contemporary Australian kitchens on Houzz
Are there any shapes or styles to avoid?
“I avoid small circular bins attached to the inside of the cabinet door as you can’t scrape scraps from the benchtop straight into them,” says Riley. He also avoids freestanding kitchen bins, which tend to clutter up your floor space.
“I avoid small circular bins attached to the inside of the cabinet door as you can’t scrape scraps from the benchtop straight into them,” says Riley. He also avoids freestanding kitchen bins, which tend to clutter up your floor space.
What else is good to know?
Rose says:
Rose says:
- Avoid bins that require two actions to access (some styles inside cupboards require you to open the cupboard then open the bin).
- Consider the amount of space you have available, don’t go too crazy on a large bin system if you don’t have much space for other storage.
- Consider upgrading to a colourful top-mounted bin to add a unique touch to your kitchen.
Ninka bin: Kinsman Kitchens
Which bins do you recommend?
Your turn
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More
Need more kitchen renovating advice? Read up on the 12 Tactics for Creating More Kitchen Bench Space
Which bins do you recommend?
- “Ninka cabinet bins as they offer a range of compartment tubs in various sizes that can easily be taken out of the frame, carried and washed. They also allow for an internal drawer above, which is a great place to store bin liners and cleaning equipment,” says Ryder.
- “We often use Häfele or Wilson & Bradley bins,” says Rose.
- “I love Wilson & Bradley’s Wesco 64-litre (two x 32-litre) 450-millimetre-wide Pull Boy waste bins and our own brand of colourful kitchen bins, which are top-mounted and suit Blum soft- close runners,” says Riley.
Your turn
Did you find this story useful? Let us know in the Comments below. And while you’re at it, like this story, save the images for inspiration and join the conversation.
More
Need more kitchen renovating advice? Read up on the 12 Tactics for Creating More Kitchen Bench Space
“A large, top-mounted pull-out bin positioned on the kitchen island or below where you plan to prep meals,” says Blake Riley, director at Blakes Of Sydney. “This style allows you to scrape food scraps straight into the bin, which means less mess on the floor.
“For small kitchens, sometimes the only option is to have a sink bin. This is a smaller pull-out bin positioned under and within the sink cabinet. These are much smaller in size than a full-cabinet style due to the limited space available in a sink cabinet.
“Small bins like this can also suit people who like to empty their bins every day,” he says.