Two Bins, One Footprint: Finding the Best Kitchen Recycling Bin

A taco night fills a kitchen with two kinds of waste: wet stuff such as lime rinds and onion skins, and clean stuff such as cans, bottles and tortilla bags. If they go in one bin, the recyclables are spoiled, and if you keep a second bin it’s usually in the way. A dual can solves this in one footprint, as long as you buy the right split, the right bags and a size your floor can take.

This guide covers kitchen-size options with two streams: step cans, a stacked tower, a cabinet pull-out and one small sorter. We don’t cover office wastebaskets or fabric sorting bags. Most details come from makers’ listings, and we note where the wording is thin or contradicts itself.

Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications, makers’ statements and the independent sources we name. We have not used these products ourselves.

Quick verdict: which kitchen recycling bin to buy

Five dual trash and recycling cans compared

One for each kind of kitchen, with bag types as stated.

Product images from Amazon. Capacities are as listed; check the bag code or size before you buy.

Our picks for the best kitchen recycling bin

Seven options from six makers. They come in several shapes, because the right one depends on your floor. All were in stock and sold new when we checked. One shares a line with a product on our odor control trash can page, in a different color, and we say why.

How to choose a kitchen recycling bin

Think about your own waste before you think about the can.

Your split. Look at what you throw away in a week. Most kitchens make more trash than recycling, so a 60/40 split, as on the Rubbermaid and EKO, tends to suit. If your recycling really matches your trash, an even split works. A wrong split means emptying one side long before the other.

Bags and their cost. Custom liners fit well but tie you to one maker; Brabantia names its own Code O bags. Rubbermaid and iTouchless state standard bags. Our trash bag guide can help with those. Check your city’s rules on whether recyclables can be bagged at all.

Floor space and lid height. Measure the floor, then measure the height with the lid up. The Rubbermaid needs 37.6 inches open and the EKO 37. Wide side-by-side cans need clear walls, while a stacked tower trades width for height, and a pull-out trades a cabinet for a clear floor.

Odor. Filters and pods help on the trash side. Both the Joseph Joseph and iTouchless state carbon filters, and those need replacing. For stronger smells, see our odor control guide. If you cook a lot of vegetables, a small countertop compost bin can remove much of the wet waste.

Lifting out. A removable bucket, like the two in the Brabantia, lifts out to empty and wash. With a bag-only side, you’ll have to lift the bag out instead.

Pedal and lid. A foot pedal keeps messy hands off the lid. Slow-close lids stop a slam, and one pedal or two is a matter of taste. Makers’ step-count claims can’t be compared across brands, so don’t put much weight on them.

How we chose these seven recycling bins

We looked for kitchen bins from named makers with two separate streams, in plain stock with a new lead offer. We avoided every exact product already on our trash can pages. We left out office wastebaskets, fabric bags and tall outdoor bins, and several listings from brands we couldn’t place. Several iTouchless models were low in stock, so we picked this step model.

We ran a search for independent reviews and found none we could rely on for these models, so everything comes from listings. We have not used these cans ourselves. CPSC records showed nothing on these models. A 2015 EKO recall covered an 80-liter sensor can that isn’t on this page.

Trash and recycling can questions, answered

What’s a good size for a family?

Around 15 to 16 gallons combined is common, with about 9 for trash. If you cook a lot or have a large family, the 60-liter EKO and Joseph Joseph Totem Max give you more room. Start from how often your trash goes out.

Can I use regular trash bags?

Often, but check. Rubbermaid and iTouchless say yes. Brabantia specifies its own Code O bags.

Should the recycling go in a bag?

That depends on your city. Many programs want items loose. Check your local rules, and choose a bin with a lift-out bucket if yours does.

How do I stop the recycling side from smelling?

Rinse cans and bottles first. Wipe the bin regularly. Filters help, but they don’t fix food left in containers.

Are dual cans better than two separate bins?

They save floor space and keep both streams in one spot. Two separate cans cost you more room, but they let you pick any size for each and replace either alone.

Our final pick for sorting at the source

The Rubbermaid Elite gets the basics right without tying you to one bag, which is why it leads. If you only need one trash stream, our kitchen trash can guide and step trash can guide cover more options. And if you’d rather make no waste at all tonight, see the menu and call to order from Julia’s.