Trash cans in the kitchen can be divided into two basic types:

• free-standing

It's best to place this kind of trash can in open places in your kitchen to reach them easily. If you don't have enough space, there are trash cans whose design allows you to stick them to the wall, thus saving space.

It's best to place this kind of trash can in open places in your kitchen to reach them easily. If you don't have enough space, there are trash cans whose design allows you to stick them to the wall, thus saving space.

Other free-standing trash cans have a foot pedal for quick and easy hand-free opening.

A third type of free-standing trash can even has a built-in sensor chip, by means of which the lid will open automatically when your arm approaches and will close when you take your arm away.

Some trash cans don't have a lid. With these, it is easy to deposit garbage, but you run a great risk of attracting unwanted insects. However, if you often put your garbage out without leaving it to stand for a long time and don't worry that it will be visible, a trash can without a lid is no problem.

Free-standing trash cans are available in various colors, shapes and finishes, and you may use the availability of different styles to add value to the kitchen decor. For example, a glossy stainless steel trash can is very convenient if you have furnished your kitchen in a contemporary style. For the casual look, there are other styles of trash can, including baskets made of woven straw.

These trash cans are most often containers, mounted either in the cabinet under the sink, or in other cabinets in the kitchen. When you open the door of the corresponding cabinet, the container slides out on guides and some containers have a lid that opens automatically.

With this kind of trash cans you will save space and given the fact that they remain out of sight, you won't need to bother about what they look like.

You may have a container with several compartments in which you can put different kinds of garbage. For example, you might put the main garbage in one compartment, paper in a second and plastic in a third.

Another type of mounted kitchen trash can just consists of a wire frame with a lid, which may be used with grocery or continuous roll bags. This variant is simple, economical and practical.

1. The trash can you choose will depend mostly on the available space in your kitchen and the amount of garbage you have.

Nevertheless, for, say, a family of four, an 11-gallon (50 l) trash can would be more convenient than a seven-gallon trash can (32 l), which would be good for a family of two.

2. No matter whether the trash can has an inner liner or not, it's a great idea to use the trash can with garbage (or grocery) bags, because it's practical and you will need to clean it less frequently.

3. Kitchen trash cans may be:

• plastic

Metal trash cans are strong, durable, stable and won't retain odors, as may happen with a plastic trash can. In addition, they are very easy to clean, especially if they are made of stainless steel.