Choosing the Right Trash Can Size
Trash can sizes are measured by volume capacity in gallons or liters, with physical dimensions varying by shape and design. Choosing the right size depends on location, household size, and pickup frequency. A bathroom needs only a 1 to 2 gallon wastebasket, while kitchens typically require 13 to 20 gallon cans. Outdoor garbage cans range from 32 to 96 gallons based on household waste volume and collection schedules. Matching can size to waste production prevents overflow between emptying and avoids wasting space with oversized bins.
Trash bag sizes correspond to can capacities but are not exact matches. A 13 gallon trash can typically uses 13 gallon tall kitchen bags, but the bag may extend above the rim or gather at the bottom depending on can shape. Round cans need different bag dimensions than rectangular or slim cans of the same gallon capacity. Always check both gallon rating and actual dimensions when selecting trash cans and matching bags to ensure proper fit and avoid frustrating overhang or slipping bags.
History and Standardization of Trash Can Sizes
Early garbage collection used whatever containers households had available, from wooden crates to metal buckets. Galvanized steel trash cans became common in the early 1900s, with 20 and 32 gallon sizes emerging as standards because they could be lifted by sanitation workers. The introduction of plastic trash cans in the 1960s and 1970s allowed for lighter weight and more size variety. Municipal waste management programs standardized outdoor can sizes at 32, 64, and 96 gallons for automated collection trucks.
Indoor trash can sizes developed based on typical bag sizes sold by manufacturers. The 13 gallon tall kitchen bag became an industry standard in the 1980s, leading to widespread 13 gallon kitchen trash cans. Smaller sizes like 2, 4, and 8 gallons emerged for bathrooms and offices. Commercial sizes at 23, 32, and 44 gallons serve restaurants and businesses. Today, gallon capacity remains the primary measurement despite increasing use of metric liters in some regions, with 1 gallon equaling approximately 3.8 liters.
Standard Indoor Trash Can Sizes Explained
The smallest common indoor size is 1 to 2 gallons, measuring roughly 8 inches in diameter and 10 inches tall. These fit under bathroom sinks or beside desks, holding tissues, cotton swabs, and personal waste. They need emptying every few days in typical use. The 3 to 5 gallon size works for bedrooms, bathrooms, and home offices, measuring about 10 by 12 inches. These can go a week between emptying for most single users.
Kitchen trash cans start at 8 to 10 gallons for small households or apartments. The 13 gallon size is the most popular kitchen can, measuring approximately 14 inches in diameter and 17 inches tall for round models. This size fits under most sinks and holds several days of waste for a typical household. Larger families often choose 16 to 20 gallon cans, which are 15 by 19 inches or larger. These require more floor space but reduce the frequency of bag changes.
Commercial and heavy duty indoor sizes reach 23 gallons or more. These measure 16 by 21 inches or larger and are common in restaurant kitchens, offices, and industrial settings. They use heavy duty bags and may have wheels for easier movement when full. For homes, sizes above 20 gallons are usually unnecessary indoors and take up excessive floor space, making 13 gallon cans the sweet spot for most kitchens.
Outdoor Trash Can Capacities
Outdoor garbage cans range from 20 to 96 gallons, with 32 and 45 gallon sizes most common for residential use. A 32 gallon can measures roughly 22 by 17 by 28 inches and suits small households or those with frequent trash pickup. The 35 to 45 gallon range is the standard size for curbside collection in most municipalities, fitting 2 to 4 people with weekly pickup. These cans are 24 by 20 by 32 inches or similar, manageable to move when full but holding substantial waste.
Larger households or those with less frequent pickup need 64 gallon cans, which measure about 28 by 24 by 40 inches. These hold a week or more of trash for families of 5 or more. The largest residential size is 96 gallons at roughly 30 by 27 by 44 inches. This size works for very large households, those with bi-weekly pickup, or properties that generate significant waste. However, 96 gallon cans can be heavy and difficult to maneuver when full.
Most outdoor cans today are wheeled carts designed for automated collection trucks. The truck's mechanical arm grabs and lifts the can, so excessive weight is less of a concern than with manual lifting. Check your municipality's regulations, as many specify allowed can sizes and provide standard cans to ensure compatibility with collection equipment. Some areas charge fees based on can size, incentivizing smaller sizes and waste reduction.
Trash Can Shapes and Space Considerations
Round trash cans are the traditional shape, efficient for volume but requiring floor space around the entire perimeter. A round 13 gallon can needs a 14 inch diameter footprint. Rectangular cans make better use of space against walls and in corners. A rectangular 13 gallon can might measure 12 by 10 by 17 inches, fitting tightly beside cabinets. The trade off is slightly less capacity for the same height due to less efficient volume use in rectangular shapes.
Slim or narrow profile cans are designed for tight spaces, measuring as little as 8 to 12 inches wide but compensating with greater depth and height. These fit between appliances or in narrow gaps but may be tippy when empty due to the small base. Semi round cans have flat backs to sit flush against walls while maintaining better volume efficiency than rectangular cans. D shape cans are another variation, combining a flat back with curved front.
Pull out trash cans install in cabinets, typically under the kitchen sink. These use the full depth of the cabinet, often 22 to 24 inches, but are narrow, around 10 to 14 inches wide. Capacities range from 8 to 20 gallons depending on cabinet size. Dual compartment cans are wider, 18 to 24 inches or more, holding two separate bins for trash and recycling. These require significant cabinet or floor space but simplify waste sorting at the source.
Matching Trash Bags to Can Sizes
Trash bag sizes are labeled by gallon capacity and sometimes by dimensions or application. A 13 gallon tall kitchen bag fits 13 gallon cans but comes in different dimension variants for round versus rectangular cans. Bags often list dimensions like 24 by 27 inches, which unfolds to roughly that size but gathers when placed in a can. For proper fit, bag capacity should equal or slightly exceed can capacity, and bag shape should match can shape.
Using too small bags results in overhang and spillage, while too large bags bunch at the bottom, wasting bag material and looking messy. Many trash cans list compatible bag sizes in their specifications. Generic bags work for most cans, but some manufacturers sell custom fit bags sized precisely for their can models. These cost more but provide neater fit and appearance, valuable in visible locations like kitchens.
Small bathroom cans use 4 gallon bags despite being 1 to 2 gallon capacity, as smaller bags are not widely available. The extra bag material folds over the rim. For outdoor cans, bag use varies by preference. Some people line outdoor cans with large 30 to 60 gallon bags for easier cleanup, while others dump bagged waste from indoor cans into outdoor cans without lining them, rinsing the outdoor can periodically.
Determining Household Trash Can Needs
Start by assessing waste volume by location. Bathrooms produce minimal waste, mostly tissues and personal care packaging, suitable for 1 to 2 gallon cans. Bedrooms and offices generate slightly more, working well with 3 to 5 gallon cans. Kitchens produce the most indoor waste including food packaging and preparation scraps, needing 13 to 20 gallon capacity for most households. Add a composting bin if you compost food waste, reducing required trash can size.
For outdoor cans, estimate weekly waste volume. A single person might produce 15 to 20 gallons per week, fitting in a 32 gallon can with room to spare. Two people average 25 to 35 gallons, working with a 35 to 45 gallon can. Families with children produce significantly more, often 50 to 70 gallons weekly, requiring 64 gallon cans or larger. Adjust for recycling programs that divert waste from trash to dedicated recycling bins, reducing needed trash capacity.
Consider pickup frequency. Weekly collection allows smaller cans, while bi-weekly service may require doubling capacity. Also account for seasonal variations. Yard work in fall and spring generates extra waste, while holidays increase packaging waste. Choose a can size that accommodates typical peak periods without constant overflow, even if the can seems oversized during low waste weeks.
Recycling and Multi Compartment Systems
Many households now use dual waste systems separating trash and recycling. This requires either two separate cans or one dual compartment can. Dual cans are often 8 to 13 gallons each, side by side in an 18 to 24 inch wide unit. Some designs stack vertically to save floor space. The key is making recycling as convenient as trash disposal to encourage proper sorting. Undersized recycling bins lead to overflow and contamination of trash with recyclables.
For outdoor collection, most municipalities provide separate bins for trash and recycling, often in standardized sizes like 64 or 96 gallons each. Some areas also provide yard waste or compost bins. Check local regulations for requirements and restrictions. Some municipalities require specific can colors or styles and prohibit alternatives, while others allow any can meeting size and weight limits when full.
Special Considerations for Different Spaces
Bathrooms benefit from small attractive cans since they are often visible. Choose 1 to 2 gallon sizes in finishes matching bathroom decor. Lids are optional but help contain odors in guest bathrooms. Bedrooms and home offices use 3 to 5 gallon cans, which are large enough to go a week between emptying for most users. Step cans with lids are less critical here unless waste includes food items.
Kitchens prioritize function and odor control. Step cans with lids keep smells contained and allow hands free opening when cooking. Sizes from 13 to 20 gallons suit most homes. Stainless steel finishes are durable and cleanable, while plastic is lighter and cheaper. Consider quiet lid close features if noise is a concern. For small kitchens, slim profile cans or under sink pull outs maximize limited floor space.
Outdoor cans must withstand weather and animals. Heavy duty plastic with secure lids prevents raccoons and other wildlife from accessing trash. Wheeled cans are essential for large sizes, allowing one person to move a full 96 gallon can to the curb. Locking lids add security in areas with persistent animal problems. Choose UV resistant materials to prevent sun damage and brittleness in plastic cans used outdoors year round.
Commercial and Heavy Duty Trash Cans
Commercial settings require larger and more durable cans than residential spaces. Restaurants use 32 to 44 gallon cans in kitchens, often with wheels and foot pedal lids for sanitation. Dining areas may have 13 to 23 gallon cans depending on customer volume. Office buildings use 8 to 13 gallon cans at individual desks and 23 to 32 gallon central bins in break rooms and copier areas.
Outdoor commercial dumpsters are measured in cubic yards rather than gallons, ranging from 2 to 8 cubic yards for typical businesses. A 2 yard dumpster holds roughly 16 96 gallon cans worth of waste. These are serviced by trucks that lift and dump the entire container. Selection depends on waste volume and pickup frequency, with costs tied directly to dumpster size and service frequency.
Practical Tips for Trash Can Selection
Measure the space where the trash can will sit, accounting for lid opening clearance and access room. For under sink cans, measure cabinet interior width, depth, and height, leaving space for plumbing. Note that cabinet doors reduce usable width by the door thickness on each side. For outdoor cans, measure the storage area and path to the curb, ensuring the can fits through gates and around obstacles when full.
Consider features beyond size. Step pedals allow hands free opening and are nearly essential for kitchen cans. Soft close lids prevent slamming and noise. Removable inner buckets simplify cleaning and bag changes. Odor filters in lids help with kitchen cans holding food waste. Wheels are critical for cans over 32 gallons that will be moved regularly. Handles provide grip points for tipping and dumping.
Finally, verify bag compatibility before purchasing. Check the manufacturer's recommended bag sizes and verify those bags are readily available at stores you frequent. Some specialty cans require specific bags that may be expensive or hard to find. Standard sizes like 13 gallon offer the widest bag selection and best prices. Buy one bag package before committing to a can to test the fit, then purchase the can knowing you can easily obtain proper bags ongoing.