Apartment Living Trash Disposal
February 1, 2012 – 5:35 pm
Apartment living offers convenience and flexibility, as well as close proximity to many exciting businesses and hangouts. However, sometimes making the transition to having limited kitchen or bathroom space can be tough for first time apartment residents. While many take this in stride, it can be a bit daunting for those who tend to create a lot of trash. Whether it’s because you’re a social person who likes to have gatherings, or because you live with others who might be a bit messy, dealing with trash effectively in a limited space is key to keeping a nice apartment home!
Bathroom Trash
While generally speaking, bathroom trash tends to be small and manageable, making sure your trash can is the right size and in the right place can be integral to making sure your bathroom remains pleasant. If you have too large a can or place your trash bin in an awkward place, it can not only be unsightly, but hazardous when moving around in what tends to be a small room.
Your best option is most likely to buy a small, compact trash can and place it out of view. Depending on the logistics of your bathroom, between the toilet and tub or between the toilet and counter generally works best. Out of sight but easily accessible is the best way to keep your bathroom trash.
Kitchen Trash
The area that tends to accumulate the most trash is in the kitchen. Kitchen layouts vary from apartment to apartment, but if you’re the type of person who likes to host get-togethers at your apartment or who tends to cook a lot, trash can accumulate quickly no matter what size your kitchen is! It’s important to make sure this area remains clear of trash and looks aesthetically pleasing. Not only will this look great when you have guests, but it ensures that you have a clear path around the kitchen when you’re busy trying to cook up something special! The last thing anyone wants is a smelly and cluttered kitchen area, so be sure to explore your options when deciding what to do with your kitchen waste.
Try to hide it!
Sometimes the most effective way to make sure trash is out of the way is to conceal it completely from view. The best option for concealing trash is to convert cabinet space under the sink into your personal trash and recycling center. This space is traditionally one of the widest cabinets in the kitchen, which makes it much easier for you to place a trash bin within it. As long as you don’t keep a great deal of cleaning supplies or other miscellaneous items under your sink, you should have ample room for both your waste bin and any other items you may choose to store in that cabinet. The main issue with this system is being aware of when your trash needs to be taken out. Some people who opt for a concealed trash bin forget to check it as often as they should, leading to over-filled garbage cans and smelly kitchens. If you’re going to put your trash underneath the sink, remember to check it often!
Mounted Cans
If you want to try something a little different, a door-mounted kitchen trash system keeps the trash out of sight and out of the way of foot traffic. A sturdy wire rack hangs on the inside of a cabinet, pantry, or cellar door and holds a three or five gallon trash bag. The system has a drop down lid that keeps the waste contained and helps to secure the trash bag in place. There is also a slight variation of this system that uses a sturdy wire rack that holds a rectangular plastic trashcan. This system is not quite as flexible as the plastic trash bag version but it is still space-efficient and keeps trash out of sight.
Low Profile Cans
If you’d rather keep your trash can out in the open, try to find one that has a low profile. There are tall, thin trash cans with flat backs available that look fairly minimalist but are effective at containing a large amount of kitchen garbage. These can rest up against a kitchen counter, remaining pretty much out of the way but still out in the open. This way, you won’t forget to check your trash, and it’s more easily accessible for when you’re cooking meals that require constant disposal of refuse.
Consider the size and design of your bathroom or kitchen before making a decision on how to deal with trash in your apartment. Once you decide on how to approach waste disposal, there are options that not only make your area clean, but can be a compliment to the room as well! Trash doesn’t have to be ugly as long as you choose the right design!
