How to Find the Most Suitable Trash Can Size
How do you choose the trash can you need? Most people choose a trash can based on their needs and preferred appearance. But how do you properly assess your needs?
Jenyen suggests that first, you must clearly know where the trash can will be placed, and then estimate how many people will be using it, and how often you plan to change the trash bag. Based on these factors, you can determine the required appearance and capacity of the trash can, and then you can search based on your specific needs.
How to Measure General Trash Can Sizes?
Let’s first understand the common sizes of commercially available trash cans. Generally, trash cans are labeled by their outer dimensions and capacity. To calculate the capacity of a trash can, you must know the inner dimensions of the trash can or the inner bucket.
For a rectangular trash can: Length cm X Width cm X Height cm = Cubic Centimeters / 1000 Cubic Centimeters = 1 Liter.
So, we divide the calculated cubic centimeters by 1000 to get the trash can’s capacity in Liters (L).
For a round trash can: Base Area cm2 X Bucket Height cm / 1000 is the trash can’s capacity in Liters (L).
Now that you know how to calculate the trash can’s size and capacity, let’s start choosing the right trash can size.
Criteria for Choosing Trash Can Size
- The size of the placement area and how many people are expected to use it.
For example, a kitchen trash can usually contains fruit peels or food scraps, so a foot-pedal type is more suitable—it has a lid and is convenient to open even when your hands are busy.
- Trash volume and frequency of taking out the trash.
Taking Taipei trash bags as an example, a typical small family uses a trash bag size of about 3–5 liters. So, the size of the trash can can be based on this, purchasing a trash can that is slightly smaller than the capacity of the commonly used trash bag will make placing the trash bag easier.
- Based on the height of the user and the size of surrounding furniture.
Although a trash can might be perceived as a dirty item, it is an unavoidable household item. When choosing a trash can, we should consider its placement and the size of surrounding furniture. One that is too large will look out of place, and one that is too small might be difficult for guests to find. It is also important to consider the home decor style and choose a trash can that fits the style, allowing the trash can to become a beautiful part of the home design.
I believe that after considering the above points, you should now know the size of the trash can you need, right?
If you have any questions about trash cans, feel free to call us or send us an email.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How to choose the right trash can based on its placement?
A: Trash can placement can generally be divided into indoor, outdoor, and kitchen.
Indoor: The main goal is to save space and not obstruct movement. Because it is placed indoors, there is a potential for odors, and trash is usually cleaned daily, so the key selection points should be: space-saving, moderate capacity, aesthetics, and having a lid.
Outdoor: Outdoor trash cans face wind and rain. Trash cans that are too small or too light are prone to tipping over, and the volume of trash is generally higher, so the key selection points should be: high durability, having a lid, and a large capacity for large trash cans.
Kitchen: Kitchen trash mostly consists of food scraps, which are often liquid, greasy, and easily produce odors, attracting cockroaches and rats. Considering hygiene issues, the key selection points should be: easy to clean, having a lid, and considering a foot-pedal trash can, which has a lid and reduces the number of direct hand contacts.
Q: How to choose the size of a trash can?
A: Trash cans come in many capacities. Those under 20 liters are small trash cans suitable for bedrooms and bathrooms. 30 to 50 liters are medium-sized trash cans suitable for the kitchen. 50 liters and above are large trash cans suitable for the outdoors.
Q: The importance of trash cans.
A: With the global spread and continued exacerbation of COVID-19, the use of masks continues to increase. People must wear masks when visiting medical facilities and worry about the risk of virus contamination. Local governments have coordinated with medical institutions and health centers to set up mask trash cans at entrances and exits for convenient disposal when leaving the premises. Places where people often dispose of masks improperly include hospitals, MRT stations, train stations, High-Speed Rail stations, and bus station exits. Campaigns are being intensified to encourage people to properly dispose of used masks in trash cans to prevent a gap in epidemic prevention. Once caught littering masks, the penalty is aggravated: an initial fine of NT$3,600, with a maximum fine of NT$6,000.
Q: Why use a stainless steel trash can?
A: Trash cans can be made from various materials, such as plastic and wood. Plastic trash cans offer many color choices in appearance but cannot be placed long-term in high-temperature outdoor environments. Wooden trash cans in Taiwan’s rainy and humid climate will eventually rot and even produce sawdust. Stainless steel, on the other to hand, is resistant to high outdoor temperatures and not afraid of moisture, making it a perfect, all-around choice.
