The simplehuman Dual Compartment Rectangular Step Can is the best recycling bin for most kitchens because it puts trash and recycling in one footprint with a sturdy steel pedal and lids that close softly instead of slamming. If you sort recyclables every day, a two-stream bin saves you a second trip across the kitchen and keeps the sorting habit painless. We also found strong options for tight cabinets, big households, and anyone who wants to spend as little as possible.
The simplehuman Dual Compartment Rectangular Step Can is the best kitchen recycling bin, combining a trash side and a recycling side in one stainless steel body. If you want to hide bins entirely, the Rev-A-Shelf Double Pull-Out mounts inside a cabinet instead.
- Best overall: simplehuman Dual Compartment Rectangular Step Can
- Best value: iTouchless Dual Step Trash Can and Recycle Bin
- Best budget: Rubbermaid Slim Jim Recycling Container
- Avoid: Flimsy plastic swing-top bins, the lids crack and odors escape
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Quick Picks
- Best overall: simplehuman Dual Compartment Rectangular Step Can, Trash and recycling in one stainless body with a smooth pedal and soft-close lids.. Check price on Amazon
- Best value: iTouchless Dual Step Trash Can and Recycle Bin, Two 8 gallon compartments and an odor filter for noticeably less than the category leader..
- Best budget: Rubbermaid Slim Jim Recycling Container, A commercial-grade 23 gallon slim bin that slips into gaps other bins cannot..
Comparison Table
| Recycling bin | Capacity | Best for | Style | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| simplehuman Dual Compartment Step Can | 58 liters total, split | Most kitchens | Dual step can | Check Price |
| iTouchless Dual Step Trash Can | 16 gallons total, split | Budget dual sorting | Dual step can | Check Price |
| Rubbermaid Slim Jim | 23 gallons | Tight spaces, garages | Open slim bin | Check Price |
| Rev-A-Shelf Double Pull-Out | Two 35 quart bins | Hidden in-cabinet sorting | Cabinet pull-out | Check Price |
How We Chose These Kitchen Storage Picks
We compared capacity, pedal and lid quality, liner compatibility, and footprint across the most widely owned kitchen recycling bins, then read through aggregated owner feedback to see how each one held up after a year of daily use. Bins lost points for slamming lids, weak pedals, and odd liner sizes that force you into expensive custom bags.
Key Takeaway: A recycling bin only works if sorting takes zero extra effort, so pick a dual-compartment or pull-out design that sits where you already stand when you cook.
Best Overall: simplehuman Dual Compartment Rectangular Step Can
Best for: Households that sort recycling daily and want one tidy stainless unit instead of two mismatched bins. Why it made the list: It solves the two-bin problem in a single 58 liter body, with a strong steel pedal rated for years of steps, lids that close silently, and internal buckets that lift out for rinsing.
- Key specs: 58 liters total split into a larger trash side and a smaller recycling side, fingerprint-proof stainless steel, steel pedal, soft-close lid, removable inner buckets, built-in liner pocket.
- What we like: The pedal action is smooth and quiet, the two inner buckets lift out easily for washing, and the liner pocket inside the can means refills are always within reach.
- What we do not like: It is expensive for a trash can, the footprint is large for small kitchens, and it is sized around simplehuman’s own custom liners, which cost more than generic bags.
- Who should buy it: Anyone whose city requires sorted recycling and who wants the sorting station to look like furniture rather than clutter.
- Who should avoid it: Renters in tiny kitchens or anyone unwilling to pay a premium for a garbage can, a basic bin plus a separate tote does the same job for far less.
- Common complaints: Owners most often mention the price, the cost of custom liners, and generic bags bunching if you do not fold them over carefully.
- Size note: Measure before buying, the rectangular body needs a wall run of roughly two feet plus clearance for the lid to open.
- Cleaning note: Both inner buckets are removable plastic, rinse them monthly and wipe the stainless body with a dry microfiber cloth to avoid streaks.
- Alternative: If you want the same dual-stream idea hidden away, the Rev-A-Shelf Double Pull-Out puts two bins inside a base cabinet.
Kitchen Recycling Bin Buying Guide
Dual compartment, slim, or pull-out
Dual step cans keep trash and recycling together in the open, slim bins like the Rubbermaid Slim Jim tuck into gaps beside the fridge, and pull-out frames mount inside a base cabinet. Pick based on where you actually stand when you generate waste, a bin across the room does not get used correctly.
Capacity and pickup schedule
Match capacity to your recycling pickup. A weekly pickup household of four typically fills 8 to 12 gallons of recycling, so a split can with a smaller recycling side works, while biweekly pickup usually justifies a dedicated 20 gallon or larger bin.
Lids, pedals, and liners
A foot pedal matters more for trash than recycling, since most recyclables are clean and dry. Check liner compatibility before you buy, some premium cans are shaped for proprietary bags, and an open-top recycling bin honestly needs no liner at all if you rinse containers first.
Safety Notes
- Rinse food residue off containers before binning them, sugary residue attracts ants and fruit flies within days.
- Keep bins with pedals on level flooring, a rocking can tips when a child leans on the open lid.
- Never stuff broken glass loose into a recycling bin, wrap it and follow your municipality’s glass rules.
- Wash bin interiors with diluted dish soap monthly to prevent mold in the base grooves.
What to Avoid
- Swing-top lids, they jam against bag edges and smear with every push.
- Bins sized only for proprietary liners if you plan to use grocery bags.
- Very tall narrow bins that tip when the bag is half full of bottles.
- Any dual can where the recycling side is too small for your actual weekly volume.
FAQ
Should a kitchen recycling bin have a lid?
If your recyclables are rinsed, a lid is optional and an open bin is faster to use. A lid becomes worthwhile if you toss unrinsed cans and bottles, or if pets and toddlers explore anything open.
How big should a kitchen recycling bin be?
For weekly curbside pickup, 8 to 12 gallons covers most families of four. If pickup is every two weeks, or you break down a lot of cardboard, step up to a 20 gallon slim bin or keep a second bin in the garage.
Do I need separate bins for glass, plastic, and paper?
Most US municipalities use single-stream recycling, so one mixed recycling bin is enough. Check your local rules first, because a few cities still require separated glass, and a dual or triple bin makes sense there.
Final Verdict
The simplehuman Dual Compartment Rectangular Step Can is the best recycling bin for most kitchens thanks to its two-stream design and build quality that outlasts cheaper cans, with the iTouchless Dual Step Trash Can delivering the same split-bin convenience for less and the Rubbermaid Slim Jim covering tight spaces and tight budgets with commercial-grade durability.
