The Best Recycling Bins for Collecting Waste in Style

Best Overall: simplehuman Rectangular Dual Compartment 58-Liter Step Can

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Our top pick is the Simplehuman Rectangular Dual Compartment 58-Liter Step Can, which features a dual-compartment design for trash and recycling. Alternatively, you can use this bin to separate different types of recyclables, such as paper and plastic. One side has a blue liner bucket equipped with a handle, which allows for easy lifting and disposal of recyclables. A convenient compartment at the back of the bin neatly stores and dispenses liners, so you’ll always have a clean bag on hand.

This bin also features Simplehuman’s innovative step pedal, designed to last over 150,000 steps (or 20 steps per day for 20 years). The hands-free operation makes for a more hygienic experience, as does the silver-ion finish, which reduces the spread of germs and resists fingerprints. Patented technology ensures that the lid closes silently every time—another big plus. Although this pick is on the expensive side, we think the convenient, sophisticated design is worth the investment.

With a total capacity of 58 liters, this large receptacle is ideal for a high-traffic kitchen, basement, or garage. The side intended for trash holds 34 liters (about 9 gallons), while the recycling compartment holds 24 liters (about 6 gallons). This unit is on the heavy side at over 20 pounds, which could be challenging when moving or cleaning it. On the plus side, it’s not likely to be tipped over by children or pets. This product is backed by a 10-year warranty, guaranteeing years of reliable use.

Price at time of publish: $250

Best Budget: Umbra Garbino Recycling Bin

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With its curvy good looks, the affordable Umbra Garbino Trash Can is a plastic recycling bin that doesn’t skimp on style. It comes in three modern color choices—black, matte black, and metallic white—to match almost any decor, and you can easily wipe down the smooth, high-quality plastic with a damp cloth.

Thanks to two integrated handles at the sides, it’s easy to lift, transport, and empty. What’s more, it weighs less than a pound. Since this bin has a fairly small capacity of 8.5 liters (2.25 gallons), it’s best suited for a smaller room, like an office or craft room. Its wide, open mouth makes it easy to load. The only downside to the open design is that it doesn’t contain odors or conceal the bin’s contents. If you want to keep this recycling can clean and dry, you can purchase liners elsewhere at an additional cost, though they could take away from the modern aesthetic of this small recycling can.

Price at time of publish: $8

Best Stylish: Brabantia 60-Liter Dual Compartment Bo Touch Bin

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The Brabantia Bo Touch Bin, which takes its design inspiration from vintage coolers, will make a chic accent to any room. Its dual-compartment design allows you to separate trash and recycling, and each side holds 30 liters (about 8 gallons). The interior buckets are removable for easy lifting and emptying and made of smooth plastic that’s easy to clean. Since this bin stands taller than other models at 32 inches, you don’t have to bend over so far to access it. It sits on four adjustable legs with non-slip feet that keep the unit securely in place.

Another convenient feature is a soft-touch mechanism that enables the lid to open and close smoothly. The lid will stay open as long as needed, so you can perform longer cleaning tasks without interruption. This bin is also Cradle to Cradle certified, which means that the manufacturing process meets certain sustainability and social fairness standards. It comes in several elegant finishes, including matte black, matte steel, and concrete gray. Although it’s one of our more expensive picks, and some users report issues with denting, it comes with a 10-year warranty to protect your purchase.

Price at time of publish: $269

Best Stackable: IKEA SORTERA Recycling Bin

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If you prefer to keep your recycling out of sight and enjoy shopping at IKEA, the SORTERA bins are affordably priced bins and stackable. While they're more utilitarian than attractive, these individual bins allow you to effectively separate paper, plastic, and other recyclable items in a garage, mudroom, or wherever you choose. You can label the plain white exteriors by categories, such as metal, glass, and paper to easily determine what material belongs in each bin. Meanwhile, the hinged lids will keep your recycling neatly concealed until it's ready to be collected.

These bins come in two sizes—38 or 61 liters (10 or 16 gallons)—so you can decide which is best for various types of recycling. Both sizes nest together and can be neatly stacked to save floor space. Each bin has a foldable lid, which you can open even if there's another bin stacked on top of it, allowing easy access to its contents.

Price at time of publish: $20

Best Touchless: simplehuman Rectangular Dual Compartment Sensor Can With Voice and Motion Control

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The dual-compartment Voice+Motion Rectangular Sensor Can from Simplehuman offers voice control for convenient, hands-free operation. It recognizes three simple commands: "Open can," "Close can," and "Stay open," which will give you more time to perform longer chores. If you forget to tell it to close, the lid will automatically shut after 10 minutes. This bin is also engineered with a motion sensor, allowing you to open it with a wave of your hand.

The sleek stainless steel exterior has a silver-ion coating that resists fingerprints and stays shiny in the face of everyday use. The two inner plastic buckets are removable for easy emptying and cleaning. The blue-handled bucket holds 24 liters (about 6 gallons) and is ideal for recycled materials, while the larger bucket, which holds 34 liters (about 9 gallons), is better suited for trash. This model's rim keeps liners out of sight and securely in place. Another noteworthy feature is the built-in liner pocket, which dispenses liners individually without the need for tearing or perforations.

This unit has two power options: the included wall adapter or six AA batteries (sold separately). We have read some reports of the trash can malfunctioning within a short period, so be sure to take advantage of Simplehuman's 10-year warranty if you encounter any problems. Although this pick has a steep price tag, we think the hassle-free technology is worth the splurge.

Price at time of publish: $300

Best Outdoor: Suncast 33-Gallon Hideaway Can

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If you're looking for a rugged bin to keep outdoors, the Suncast 33-Gallon Hideaway Can is a great option. It's made of a durable plastic that's both water- and weather-resistant and has a latch to effectively contain odors and prevent nosy critters from rummaging through the contents. At almost 32 inches tall and 16 inches wide, this bin has plenty of room to store recyclables, but it doesn't occupy a tremendous amount of space. Its 124-liter (33 gallons) capacity is the perfect size for larger gatherings by the pool or patio.

This trash can comes in two neutral colors—brown and taupe—a welcome change from the standard bright blue color you'll find on many recycle bins. The faux wainscotting design will blend in nicely with most outdoor furniture decor, making it an ideal choice for decks and patios. Note that this trash can requires some assembly, but the process is quick and easy.

Price at time of publish: $60

Best With Multiple Compartments: Step N' Sort 16-Gallon 3-Compartment Stainless Steel Trash and Recycling Bin

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This 60-liter (16 gallons) Trash and Recycling Bin from Step N' Sort is a great option if you’re searching for a multi-compartment bin. It has three compartments to sort various recyclables and trash. The inner buckets are removable, and each bin has a handle for easy lifting and emptying. Each bin also has its own hands-free step pedal, allowing for more convenient and hygienic operation. This unit comes with a sticker pad, so you can label the pedals and indicate which items belong in each compartment.

The Step N' Sort bin has a sleek and durable stainless steel build, and its larger 23-inch-wide design is a good fit for busy kitchens. Most users say it works great for recyclables, but there is no mechanism to keep trash bags securely in place. It’s also important to note that this recycling bin has an open bottom, which means that any overspill could end up on the floor.

Price at time of publish: $121

Best for Home Office: Yamazaki Como Trash Can

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This Yamazaki Trash Can functions as a simple, sleek, and compact 10-liter plastic recycling bin, making it an ideal choice for a home office or smaller space. It stands 12.5 inches tall and 7.5 inches wide—a perfect size to tuck under a desk or a table. It features a wide wooden handle, so you can easily lift it and empty the contents into a larger recycling bin, and it's extremely lightweight, too, at just over 1 pound.

Another bonus is the smooth plastic construction, which you can easily clean with a soft, damp cloth. The only downside to the open design is that it won't conceal the bin's contents or contain odors. However, those might not be problems if you're using it strictly for dry waste.

Price at time of publish: $27

Best for Odors: iTouchless SoftStep 13.2 Gallon Stainless Steel Step Trash Can With Odor Control System

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If odor control is high on your priority list, this 50-liter SoftStep Step Pedal Trash Can from iTouchless comes equipped with a filter to absorb and neutralize smells. One filter comes with the unit, but you will have to purchase replacement filters separately. Convenient features include a silent-close lid and an ergonomic foot pedal that requires minimal force to operate. The lid will also stay open as long as necessary, so you can perform longer cleaning tasks without interruption. This trash has an attractive stainless steel surface that resists fingerprints and smudges, making it easier to clean.

The inner bucket is removable, so it’s easy to lift and empty. Thanks to rubber pads on the non-skid base, you don’t have to worry about the canister sliding around. Another convenient feature is the tuck-and-hold bag lock, which prevents trash bags from slipping or falling into the canister. This unit doesn’t require custom liners and is compatible with 13-gallon trash bags. We found a few reports of parts breaking shortly after use, but a one-year warranty protects the product.

Price at time of publish: $100