The Complete Trash Can Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right One for Every Room

📅 Last updated: June 29, 2026 — We review and update our recommendations regularly.

There’s a funny thing about trash cans: nobody thinks about them until theirs is falling apart, smells terrible, or simply doesn’t fit where it needs to go. Then suddenly you’re standing in a store aisle (or scrolling through page after page online) trying to figure out the difference between a “step can” and a “touch can,” wondering if 13 gallons is too big or too small, and questioning whether you actually need a trash can with a sensor in it.

We get it. A trash can seems like it should be the simplest purchase in the world, but the sheer number of options can turn a five-minute errand into an hour-long research project. This guide exists to save you that hour. We’ll walk through everything that actually matters when picking a trash can: size, material, lid style, special features, and how to match all of that to the room you’re shopping for. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to look for, and you can browse our full trash can collection at DumpRecycle.com with a clear idea of what you need.

Why the “Right” Trash Can Actually Matters

It’s easy to assume any trash can will do. But the wrong one creates small daily frustrations that add up over time: a lid that doesn’t close all the way, a bag that slips down inside every time you toss something in, a can that’s too short so you’re bending over constantly, or one that’s too tall and ends up looking like a hulking eyesore in a small bathroom.

On the flip side, the right trash can disappears into the background of your life in the best possible way. It holds what it needs to hold, it’s easy to empty, it doesn’t smell, and it doesn’t fight you every time you use it. That’s really the whole goal here.

The Cost of Getting It Wrong

Buying the wrong trash can isn’t just an inconvenience, it can actually cost you money over time. An undersized can means more frequent trips to take out the trash and more bags used overall. A poorly sealed lid means odor problems that can require extra cleaning products or air fresheners to manage. And a flimsy, low-quality can might crack or have its lid mechanism fail within a year, meaning you’re back here shopping again sooner than you’d like.

Investing a little time upfront in picking the right one saves you from all of that.

Step One: Figure Out the Right Size

Size is the single most important decision you’ll make, and it’s also the one people get wrong most often. Trash cans are measured in gallons, and the right gallon count depends entirely on where the can is going and how many people are using it.

Bathroom Trash Cans (2 to 4 Gallons)

Bathrooms generate a small, steady stream of light trash: tissues, cotton swabs, packaging. A small can in the 2 to 4 gallon range is almost always plenty, and a larger can in a bathroom usually just looks oversized and takes up floor space you don’t have to spare.

Bedroom and Home Office Trash Cans (3 to 7 Gallons)

These spaces need a little more capacity than a bathroom but nowhere near what a kitchen needs. A 3 to 7 gallon can works well here, especially if you’re tossing papers, packaging from online orders, or the occasional food wrapper.

Kitchen Trash Cans (13 to 20 Gallons)

Kitchens are the heavy lifters of the trash world. Food scraps, packaging, paper towels, it all adds up fast. A 13-gallon can is the standard for a single person or couple, while a 20-gallon can suits a busier household. We cover kitchen cans in much more depth in our dedicated kitchen trash can guide, but the short version is: don’t undersize your kitchen can, or you’ll be taking out the trash daily.

Outdoor and Garage Trash Cans (32 to 96 Gallons)

If you’re shopping for something to sit outside, in a garage, or to handle yard waste, you’re in a different category entirely. These large bins, often on wheels, are built to handle bulk waste and frequently double as your municipal collection bin. Sizing here depends on how much waste your household produces between collection days and how much storage space you have.

A Simple Rule of Thumb

If you’re really unsure, here’s an easy way to think about it: estimate how many gallons of trash your household produces per day, then multiply by how many days you’re comfortable going between taking it out. A two-person household producing about 2 gallons a day, taking it out every 4 days, needs roughly an 8-gallon can. It’s not exact science, but it gets you in the right neighborhood.

Step Two: Choose the Right Material

Material affects durability, appearance, odor control, and price. Here’s how the main options stack up.

Plastic Trash Cans

Plastic is the most common material for a reason: it’s affordable, lightweight, resistant to rust, and comes in every color imaginable. High-density plastic (often labeled HDPE) resists cracking and holds up well to daily use. The tradeoff is that plastic can absorb odors over time if it isn’t cleaned regularly, and lower-quality plastic can crack or discolor with age, especially if it’s used outdoors and exposed to sun.

Stainless Steel Trash Cans

Stainless steel cans bring a sleek, modern look and tend to resist fingerprints and smudges better than people expect, especially models labeled “fingerprint-resistant.” They’re heavier and more durable than plastic in many cases, and they don’t absorb odors the way plastic can. The downside is cost. Stainless steel cans typically run more expensive than plastic equivalents. We go into much more detail on this material in our stainless steel trash can guide.

Galvanized Metal Trash Cans

Galvanized steel is the classic outdoor trash can material, the kind with the ribbed sides you might remember from outside your grandparents’ house. It’s tough, rust-resistant thanks to the zinc coating, and holds up well outdoors. It’s less common for indoor use these days but remains a sturdy, reliable choice for garages, patios, and yard waste.

Other Materials Worth Knowing

Some specialty cans use bamboo, wicker, or fabric exteriors over a plastic liner, mostly for decorative purposes in living rooms or bedrooms where you want the can to blend in rather than stand out. These aren’t typically built for heavy use, but they work well in low-traffic spaces where appearance matters more than capacity.

Step Three: Pick a Lid Style That Fits Your Habits

The lid style of a trash can has a bigger impact on day-to-day convenience than most people expect. Here’s a rundown of the main types.

Open Top Cans

No lid at all. These are the simplest option, common in offices and bedrooms where odor and mess aren’t major concerns. They’re also the easiest to empty quickly. The obvious downside is that contents are visible and odors aren’t contained at all.

Swing Lid Cans

A swing lid pivots open when you push trash through it and swings back into place afterward. These work well in kitchens because you don’t need a free hand to operate them, but the lid can get messy over time since trash physically passes through it.

Step (Pedal) Cans

Step cans use a foot pedal to lift the lid, leaving both hands free. These are extremely popular for kitchens, since they let you toss trash while holding a cutting board, dish, or anything else. The main thing to watch for is pedal durability. Cheaper step mechanisms can wear out or become stiff after a year or two of heavy use, so it’s worth checking reviews for long-term reliability before buying, particularly on step cans you plan to use multiple times a day.

Touch-Top Cans

A light touch on the lid releases it, and many touch-top models stay open briefly so you can drop multiple items in without re-touching. These are popular middle-ground options between fully manual and fully automatic.

Touchless (Sensor) Cans

These use a motion sensor to open the lid automatically when your hand approaches. They’re great for hygiene since you never touch the can, and they look sleek in modern kitchens. They do require batteries or a power source, and like any electronic device, the sensor can occasionally need a clean or a battery swap to keep working reliably.

Locking Lids

If you have pets that get into the trash, or you’re storing the can somewhere wildlife might investigate, a locking lid is worth the extra cost. These typically use a latch or clip mechanism that needs to be intentionally released, keeping curious noses and paws out.

Step Four: Think About Where the Can Will Actually Live

A trash can that’s perfect on paper can still be the wrong choice if it doesn’t physically fit where you need it.

Measure Before You Buy

This sounds obvious, but it’s the step people skip most often. Measure the height, width, and depth of the space where the can will go, including any clearance needed for the lid to open fully (especially important for swing-lid and step cans, which need extra room above or in front). If the can is going under a sink or in a cabinet, measure the cabinet opening too, not just the floor space.

Consider Foot Traffic

In a busy kitchen, you want a can that’s out of the main walking path but still easily reachable. In a home office, tucking the can under or beside a desk usually works better than placing it in an open floor area where you might kick it.

Think About Sightlines

If your trash can will be visible from a living room, dining area, or entryway, you might lean toward a more decorative or color-matched option rather than a purely utilitarian one. Stainless steel and slim profile cans tend to look more intentional in visible spaces.

Step Five: Match the Can to the Room

Let’s get specific about which type of trash can tends to work best in each part of the home.

Kitchen

The kitchen needs the most capacity and usually benefits from a step or touchless lid since your hands are often full or messy while cooking. A 13 to 20 gallon stainless steel or heavy-duty plastic can with a tight-sealing lid is the sweet spot for most households.

Bathroom

Small and simple is the name of the game. A 2 to 4 gallon can with or without a lid works fine. Many people skip the lid entirely in bathrooms since most bathroom trash doesn’t generate strong odors.

Bedroom

Similar to the bathroom, bedrooms don’t need much capacity. A small open-top or swing-lid can in the 3 to 5 gallon range is typically enough.

Home Office

Offices tend to accumulate paper, so a slightly larger can (5 to 7 gallons) with an open top makes emptying quick and easy, especially if you’re tossing crumpled paper that doesn’t compact well.

Garage and Outdoor Spaces

Here you want durability and weather resistance above all else. Galvanized steel or heavy-duty plastic in the 32 to 96 gallon range, often with wheels for easier movement to the curb, is the standard choice.

Bathroom for Kids

If you’re shopping for a kids’ bathroom, consider a smaller, lighter can that’s easy for a child to use independently. Avoid anything with a complicated lid mechanism that a young child might struggle to operate, since that just leads to trash piling up on the floor next to the can instead of inside it.

Common Trash Can Features and Whether You Need Them

Beyond the basics, manufacturers have added all kinds of features to trash cans over the years. Here’s how to think about the most common ones.

Odor Control Filters

Some cans include a charcoal filter built into the lid that helps absorb smells before they escape into the room. These are genuinely useful in kitchens, especially if you don’t take the trash out every single day.

Liner Lock Rims

A liner lock or bag retainer is a small ridge or clip near the top rim that holds the trash bag in place so it doesn’t slip down inside the can every time you push trash into it. If you’ve ever fought with a bag that bunches up at the bottom, this feature solves that problem directly.

Wheels

Larger cans, especially outdoor ones, often come with wheels to make hauling them to the curb easier. If you’re dealing with a heavy 32-gallon-plus can and an uneven driveway, wheels are worth prioritizing.

Soft-Close Lids

A soft-close mechanism prevents the lid from slamming shut, which is both quieter and gentler on the can’s hinges over time. It’s a small feature but a nice one, especially in homes with sleeping kids or open-concept living spaces where every noise carries.

Stay-Open Lids

Some step cans and touch cans are designed to stay open for a set period, letting you toss in several items without repeatedly stepping on the pedal or touching the lid. This is a convenience feature worth considering if you frequently dispose of multiple items at once, like after a meal.

Recycling Separation

Dual or triple-compartment cans split the bin into separate sections for trash, recycling, and sometimes compost. These are great for households that are serious about sorting waste but want it contained in a single unit rather than multiple separate cans taking up floor space.

How Many Trash Cans Does a Typical Home Need?

It’s worth thinking about your whole home, not just one room at a time. Most households end up with:

One main kitchen trash can, the highest-capacity unit in the house.

One or two bathroom cans, small and simple.

A bedroom or home office can if those spaces see regular paper or packaging waste.

An outdoor or garage can for curbside collection, especially in homes that don’t have built-in bin storage.

Optionally, a recycling-specific can either paired with the kitchen can or located near the garage for easy sorting.

Buying these as a coordinated set, rather than piecing them together over time, often works out better both visually and financially, since many sellers offer better pricing on multi-can bundles.

Trash Can Maintenance: Keeping It Fresh and Functional

A trash can is one of those household items that gets used constantly and cleaned rarely, which is exactly why odor problems creep in over time. A little maintenance goes a long way.

Cleaning Schedule

For kitchen cans, a quick wipe-down with disinfectant wipes weekly and a deeper wash with soap and water monthly will keep odor and bacteria buildup to a minimum. Bathroom and bedroom cans need less frequent attention, maybe once every couple of months, since they handle lighter waste.

Dealing With Spills and Leaks

If something leaks inside the can before you notice, empty it immediately, rinse with hot water and a bit of dish soap, and let it dry fully before adding a new liner. Skipping this step is the number one cause of lingering bad smells.

Replacing Worn Parts

Step pedals, hinges, and sensor batteries are the parts most likely to wear out before the can itself does. Many quality cans sell replacement parts separately, so check before assuming you need an entirely new can just because the pedal mechanism is sticking.

Trash Can Buying Mistakes to Avoid

After all this, let’s cover a few specific mistakes that are easy to make and easy to avoid once you know what to look for.

Buying Based on Looks Alone

A trash can that looks great in a product photo but doesn’t have a liner lock, doesn’t seal well, or has a flimsy lid hinge will frustrate you daily, regardless of how nice it looks. Function should come first, with style as the tiebreaker.

Ignoring Bag Compatibility

Always check what size trash bags a can is designed for before buying. A can that requires an unusual or non-standard bag size can make restocking liners more annoying and sometimes more expensive than it needs to be.

Underestimating Household Growth

If you’re buying for a household that might grow, whether that’s a new roommate, a baby, or simply more time spent cooking at home, it’s often worth sizing up slightly rather than buying the exact minimum you need today.

Skipping the Measurements

We mentioned this earlier, but it’s worth repeating: always measure your space, including clearance for lids and pedals, before finalizing a purchase. Returning an oversized can is far more annoying than taking two minutes to measure first.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size trash can do I need for a family of four?

Most families of four do well with a 13 to 20 gallon kitchen can, alongside smaller 3 to 5 gallon cans in bathrooms and bedrooms. If you cook frequently or generate a lot of packaging waste, lean toward the higher end of that range.

How often should I replace my trash can?

A quality trash can, especially one made of stainless steel or thick HDPE plastic, can easily last 5 to 10 years with proper care. Plastic cans exposed to direct sunlight outdoors may need replacing sooner due to UV degradation.

Are touchless trash cans worth the extra cost?

For kitchens where hands are frequently full or dirty while cooking, touchless cans offer a genuine hygiene and convenience benefit. For low-traffic spaces like bedrooms, the extra cost is harder to justify.

What’s the difference between a trash can and a garbage can?

In everyday use, these terms are interchangeable. Some regional dialects favor one term over the other, but functionally there’s no real difference between what’s sold as a “trash can” versus a “garbage can.”

Can I use any trash bag with any trash can?

Not always. Trash cans are generally designed around a specific bag size range, usually noted in the product details. Using bags that are too small leaves them slipping down inside the can, while bags that are too large bunch up messily over the rim.

Trash Can Capacity Conversion: Gallons, Liters, and What They Actually Hold

If you’ve shopped internationally or compared products from different retailers, you’ve probably noticed that some trash cans are listed in gallons and others in liters. This trips a lot of people up, so let’s clear it up.

Quick Conversion Reference

One US gallon equals roughly 3.785 liters. So a 13-gallon trash can is approximately 49 liters, a common size you’ll see labeled both ways depending on the manufacturer. A 32-gallon outdoor can is roughly 121 liters. If you’re comparing two products and one lists gallons while the other lists liters, do the conversion before assuming one is larger than the other; they might be nearly identical.

Why This Matters for Bag Shopping

Trash bags are also sold by size, and mismatched units here are a common source of frustration. If your can is rated in liters but you’re shopping for bags rated in gallons (or vice versa), convert first. A 13-gallon can needs bags rated for roughly 13 gallons, not 13 liters, which would be far too small and leave you with bags slipping constantly.

Real-World Capacity vs. Listed Capacity

Here’s something manufacturers don’t always make clear: the listed gallon capacity is usually the absolute maximum volume of the can if filled completely to the brim, not the practical, everyday capacity. In reality, you’ll typically use 80 to 90 percent of the listed capacity before tying off a bag, both because overfilling makes bags hard to remove and because trash doesn’t compact perfectly into every corner of the can. Keep this in mind when sizing; a 13-gallon can functions more like a 10 to 11-gallon can in daily use.

A Brief History of the Trash Can

It’s worth a short detour into where this everyday object actually came from, partly because it’s genuinely interesting and partly because it explains why trash cans look and function the way they do today.

Early Waste Management

Before dedicated waste containers existed, most households simply discarded trash in open piles, ditches, or shared communal dumps outside city limits. As cities grew denser in the 19th century, this became a serious public health problem, contributing to disease outbreaks and generally unpleasant urban conditions.

The Rise of the Metal Bin

By the late 1800s and early 1900s, cities began mandating that households use covered containers for waste, primarily to control odor and discourage pests. Galvanized steel became the material of choice because it was durable, weatherproof, and relatively affordable to mass-produce. This is the era that gave us the classic ribbed metal trash can shape that, frankly, still shows up in cartoons and stock photography today.

Plastic Takes Over

The mid-20th century brought the plastic revolution, and trash cans were an early beneficiary. Plastic was lighter, cheaper, didn’t rust, and could be molded into far more shapes than sheet metal allowed. By the 1960s and 1970s, plastic trash cans had become the dominant choice for both indoor and outdoor use in most American households.

The Modern Era of Smart and Specialized Cans

Today’s trash can market reflects just how specialized our needs have become. We have cans designed specifically for kitchens, bathrooms, offices, recycling, composting, pet-proofing, and even smart cans that connect to phone apps to track fill levels. What started as a simple metal bucket has evolved into a genuinely diverse product category, and that diversity is exactly why a buying guide like this one is useful instead of just grabbing whatever’s on the shelf.

Trash Cans and the Environment: What to Consider

Choosing a trash can isn’t purely a functional decision anymore for a lot of shoppers; environmental impact factors in too. Here’s what’s worth knowing.

Recycled Content

Many plastic trash cans today are manufactured using a percentage of post-consumer recycled plastic. If sustainability matters to you, check the product description for recycled content percentages; this information is increasingly common in listings as manufacturers compete on environmental credentials.

Recyclability of the Can Itself

Ironically, not every trash can is itself recyclable at the end of its life. Stainless steel and galvanized steel cans are generally fully recyclable through standard metal recycling streams. Plastic cans depend on the specific resin used; HDPE, the most common plastic for trash cans, is widely recyclable, but it’s worth checking local recycling guidelines since acceptance varies by municipality.

Durability as Sustainability

There’s also a less obvious environmental angle here: a trash can that lasts ten years is inherently more sustainable than one that needs replacing every two years, regardless of what it’s made from. This is one more reason quality matters when you’re shopping, not just for your own convenience but for reducing the number of cans that end up in landfills over your lifetime.

Pairing With a Recycling System

If reducing waste matters to you, pairing your trash can purchase with a dedicated recycling bin, or choosing a dual-compartment unit, makes proper sorting dramatically more convenient. The single biggest predictor of whether a household recycles consistently is how easy the system is to use day to day, so investing in convenient, well-placed bins pays off in actual behavior change, not just good intentions.

Trash Cans for Specific Living Situations

Not every household looks the same, and your trash can needs shift depending on your specific situation. Let’s run through a few common ones.

Apartments and Small Spaces

Space is the defining constraint here. Look for slim profile cans designed to fit narrow gaps, like beside a refrigerator or in a tight kitchen corner. Stackable or nesting recycling and trash combo units are particularly useful in small apartments where every square foot of floor space counts.

Shared Housing and Roommates

In a shared household, odor control and easy emptying become more important, since responsibility for taking out the trash is often split unevenly. A can with a strong-sealing lid and an odor filter reduces the “whose turn is it” friction that comes from a smelly kitchen.

Households With Pets

If you have dogs or cats prone to getting into the trash, prioritize a locking lid or a step can with a lid that closes securely on its own. Pets are remarkably persistent, and a can that’s even slightly easy to nose open will eventually get opened.

Households With Young Children

For kitchens and common areas, consider a can your kids can use independently once they’re old enough, which usually means avoiding overly complex sensor mechanisms and choosing something with a simple, sturdy lid they can manage themselves. This small bit of independence-building (let your six-year-old throw away their own trash) goes a long way in a busy household.

Home-Based Businesses and Offices

If you run a business from home or have a dedicated office space with regular client visits, consider matching your trash can’s appearance more deliberately to the room’s aesthetic, since this is one of the few “utility” items that’s often in direct view during meetings.

How to Measure and Compare Trash Cans When Shopping Online

Buying a trash can online means you can’t physically check the size or build quality before purchasing, so reading the right details matters more than usual.

Read the Full Dimension List, Not Just the Capacity

Two cans listed at “13 gallons” can have noticeably different heights, widths, and depths depending on their shape (round versus rectangular, slim versus standard). Always check the full height, width, and depth listed in the specifications, not just the gallon capacity, and compare that against your measured space.

Check the Material Specification Carefully

Listings sometimes describe a can as “stainless steel” when only the outer shell is steel and the lid or internal components are plastic. This isn’t necessarily a problem, but it’s worth knowing exactly what you’re getting, especially if durability or a fully metal aesthetic matters to you.

Look at Lid Mechanism Details

Product descriptions should specify whether a lid is foot-pedal operated, touch-activated, sensor-based, or simply hinged. If this isn’t clear from the title or bullet points, check the full description or images before assuming.

Review Photos From Multiple Angles

Look for product listings that include photos from the front, side, and top, ideally with the lid both open and closed. This gives you a much better sense of how the can will actually look and function in your space than a single hero shot.

Read Recent Reviews for Real-World Durability Feedback

Specifications tell you what a product is supposed to do; reviews tell you what it actually does after a few months of real use. Pay particular attention to reviews mentioning pedal or sensor reliability over time, since that’s the area where lower-quality cans tend to fail first.

Budgeting for Your Trash Can Purchase

Price ranges in this category are wider than most people expect, and understanding why helps you spend your money where it actually counts.

Entry-Level Cans ($10 to $25)

At this price point, you’re typically looking at basic plastic cans with simple open tops or swing lids. These work fine for low-traffic spaces like bathrooms and bedrooms, where heavy daily use and advanced features aren’t necessary. Don’t expect a locking lid, odor filtration, or a long-lasting pedal mechanism at this tier.

Mid-Range Cans ($25 to $60)

This is where most kitchen cans land, and it’s the sweet spot for most households. At this price, you start seeing quality step mechanisms, liner lock rims, better-sealing lids, and sturdier plastic or budget stainless steel construction. If you’re only going to buy one nice trash can for your home, this is usually the range to focus your budget on, since it’s your kitchen can.

Premium Cans ($60 to $150+)

Premium pricing typically reflects brushed stainless steel construction, fingerprint-resistant coatings, sensor-based touchless lids, soft-close hinges, and odor filtration systems working together. These cans are built to look good in a visible kitchen and to last considerably longer than entry-level options. If your kitchen trash can is in a highly visible spot or you simply want the best daily experience, this tier delivers noticeably on both fronts.

Outdoor and Commercial-Grade Cans (Variable, Often $40 to $200+)

Large outdoor and commercial bins price out differently since they’re sized and built for an entirely different purpose. Expect to pay more for wheels, animal-resistant locking mechanisms, and UV-resistant plastic that won’t crack or fade after a few summers in direct sun.

Where to Splurge and Where to Save

If you’re working with a limited budget, splurge on your kitchen can since it gets the heaviest daily use, and save on bathroom and bedroom cans since their lighter use means even a basic model will hold up fine for years. This approach maximizes the impact of your spending rather than spreading your budget evenly across every can in the house.

Trash Cans for Multi-Family and Shared Buildings

Coordinating With Building Waste Systems

If you live in a building with shared chute systems, centralized collection rooms, or dumpster-style collection, your in-unit trash can mainly needs to handle the gap between your kitchen and that shared collection point. In these setups, a smaller, easily carried can often makes more practical sense than a large capacity unit, since you’re not storing waste for extended periods anyway.

Noise and Shared Walls

In apartments and condos with shared walls, lid noise becomes more relevant than in a standalone house. A soft-close or quiet swing lid helps avoid disturbing neighbors, particularly for late-night kitchen cleanup after a shared wall.

HOA and Building Restrictions

Some buildings and homeowners associations have specific rules about where outdoor or balcony trash cans can be placed, what they can look like, and how waste must be bagged or contained before disposal. It’s worth checking your specific building or HOA guidelines before purchasing an outdoor-facing can if you live under such restrictions.

Final Thoughts: Finding Your Perfect Trash Can

A trash can might not be the most exciting purchase you make this year, but getting it right makes a real difference in your daily routine. Think through the size you actually need, choose a material that matches your durability and style preferences, pick a lid mechanism that fits how you use the space, and double check your measurements before buying.

Once you’ve worked through those steps, you’ll know exactly what to look for; and that’s exactly what our team at DumpRecycle.com has built our entire catalog around. Whether you need a compact bathroom can, a heavy-duty outdoor bin, or a sleek stainless steel kitchen can with all the modern features, you can browse our full range of trash cans and filter by size, material, and lid type to find the one that fits your home perfectly.

Related Trash Can Buying Guides

Need help with a specific room or situation? Check out our trash can size guide for families, our tips on how to stop trash can odors, and our breakdown of common recycling mistakes homeowners make. If you are shopping for a specific space, see our kitchen trash can buying guide or our stainless steel trash can buying guide. For general guidance on what is actually recyclable, the EPA’s recycling basics page is a helpful outside resource.

Looking for an outdoor, curbside, or heavy-duty can for the garage or backyard instead? See our Outdoor Garbage Can Buying Guide for curbside carts, animal-resistant lids, and commercial-grade picks.

Part of our complete waste management guide — see how this fits into the bigger picture.

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