-
-
Shape Life , Shape BeautyManufacturer & Exporter of Logistics Plastic Unit
-
Time:7/2/2025 -
Time:6/10/2025 -
Time:5/6/2025 -
-
Time:4/2/2025
- CONTACT US
- [email protected]
Products News
How Big Is a Trash Can
Time:7/2/2025
19Share:
Trash cans come in many sizes, and the right one depends largely on where and how you plan to use it. From compact bathroom bins to large outdoor dumpsters, understanding typical capacities for different settings helps you make better choices for waste management.
For home use, trash cans range from very small to medium-sized, depending on the room and the amount of waste generated.
Small trash cans are usually between 3 to 5 gallons (10 to 20 liters). These are ideal for bathrooms, bedrooms, or home offices where waste volume is low. They are compact and easy to place under a sink or beside a desk.
Medium-sized trash cans range from 8 to 13 gallons (30 to 50 liters). The 13-gallon size is the most common for kitchens in the United States, as it fits standard tall kitchen trash bags. These are perfect for daily household waste like food scraps and packaging.
Large home trash cans may hold 15 to 20 gallons (55 to 75 liters). These are useful for garages, utility rooms, or homes with high waste output. They reduce the frequency of emptying and are often used for mixed or garden waste.
Offices and commercial spaces typically use slim, rectangular trash cans ranging from 10 to 23 gallons (40 to 87 liters). These are placed under desks, in meeting rooms, or along corridors where space is limited. Many offices pair them with recycling bins in similar sizes.
In larger commercial areas like cafeterias or public restrooms, trash cans around 32 gallons (120 liters) are common. These are built for durability and often used with liners for easy maintenance.
Public trash cans used in parks, on sidewalks, or near bus stops generally range from 32 to 55 gallons (120 to 210 liters). They are designed to withstand outdoor conditions and are often made of metal or heavy-duty plastic. Many have lids or flaps to keep animals out and reduce odors.
For residential curbside pickup, cities often provide bins between 65 and 95 gallons (240 to 360 liters). These are large, wheeled containers used for weekly garbage collection. They are easy to move and can hold several days’ worth of waste for an average household.
In industrial settings or construction sites, large dumpsters are commonly used. These are measured in cubic yards instead of gallons. A small dumpster might hold one to two cubic yards, while larger roll-off dumpsters can hold up to eight cubic yards or more. These are not handled manually and usually require special pickup by a waste service.
Wheeled commercial carts holding 95 gallons or more are often used in schools, shopping centers, and food service areas. They are ideal for managing large volumes of trash and can be moved easily for collection.
Selecting the right size trash can depends on your space, how much waste is generated, and how often you want to empty it. For personal or small space use, compact bins are best. For families or workplaces with regular waste, medium to large bins are more practical. In public or industrial settings, larger-capacity bins ensure fewer service interruptions and more efficient waste management.
Understanding the typical sizes and functions of trash cans in different settings helps you select the right product for your needs, whether it's for a small apartment or a large facility.
1. Household Trash Cans (Home Use)
For home use, trash cans range from very small to medium-sized, depending on the room and the amount of waste generated.
Small trash cans are usually between 3 to 5 gallons (10 to 20 liters). These are ideal for bathrooms, bedrooms, or home offices where waste volume is low. They are compact and easy to place under a sink or beside a desk.
Medium-sized trash cans range from 8 to 13 gallons (30 to 50 liters). The 13-gallon size is the most common for kitchens in the United States, as it fits standard tall kitchen trash bags. These are perfect for daily household waste like food scraps and packaging.
Large home trash cans may hold 15 to 20 gallons (55 to 75 liters). These are useful for garages, utility rooms, or homes with high waste output. They reduce the frequency of emptying and are often used for mixed or garden waste.
2. Office and Commercial Indoor Trash Cans
Offices and commercial spaces typically use slim, rectangular trash cans ranging from 10 to 23 gallons (40 to 87 liters). These are placed under desks, in meeting rooms, or along corridors where space is limited. Many offices pair them with recycling bins in similar sizes.
In larger commercial areas like cafeterias or public restrooms, trash cans around 32 gallons (120 liters) are common. These are built for durability and often used with liners for easy maintenance.
3. Outdoor Public Trash Cans (Municipal Use)
Public trash cans used in parks, on sidewalks, or near bus stops generally range from 32 to 55 gallons (120 to 210 liters). They are designed to withstand outdoor conditions and are often made of metal or heavy-duty plastic. Many have lids or flaps to keep animals out and reduce odors.
For residential curbside pickup, cities often provide bins between 65 and 95 gallons (240 to 360 liters). These are large, wheeled containers used for weekly garbage collection. They are easy to move and can hold several days’ worth of waste for an average household.
4. Industrial and Commercial Dumpsters
In industrial settings or construction sites, large dumpsters are commonly used. These are measured in cubic yards instead of gallons. A small dumpster might hold one to two cubic yards, while larger roll-off dumpsters can hold up to eight cubic yards or more. These are not handled manually and usually require special pickup by a waste service.
Wheeled commercial carts holding 95 gallons or more are often used in schools, shopping centers, and food service areas. They are ideal for managing large volumes of trash and can be moved easily for collection.
How to Choose the Right Trash Can Size
Selecting the right size trash can depends on your space, how much waste is generated, and how often you want to empty it. For personal or small space use, compact bins are best. For families or workplaces with regular waste, medium to large bins are more practical. In public or industrial settings, larger-capacity bins ensure fewer service interruptions and more efficient waste management.
Understanding the typical sizes and functions of trash cans in different settings helps you select the right product for your needs, whether it's for a small apartment or a large facility.
