Trash cans are necessary for our survival

Stylish or basic, trash cans are something that mankind cannot do without. It is estimated that an average household produces about 25 kilograms of trash every week. This of course doesn't include the trash produced in commercial places like offices, restaurants, educational institutions etc and the outdoor trash generated in public places. Imagine if the concept of a trash can didn't exist. We would probably be buried under our own trash, in our homes, workplaces and the outdoors. Trash cans are a necessity if we have to exist as a healthy civilized society.

Trash cans keep our surroundings clean

Trash cans, garbage bins, dustbins, waste bins - the names are many. The purpose however is the same. To act as a receptacle for trash and its storage point till the time it is disposed off through an effective public waste disposable system. Trash cans should ideally be kept in all rooms of the house to save you the trouble of finding a bin when you have to have some waste to dispose. Alternately you can have trash cans in spaces where the volume of trash generated is more like the kitchen or the bathrooms. In most homes in the West, in addition to the indoor trash cans, there are one or more large outdoor trash can that can accommodate a week's or 10 days trash depending on the frequency of the public trash collection service. Whether you have one or many trash cans in your home, make sure they are kept clean and covered (unless it is the waste paper variety). This will ensure your home is clean, odorless and pest free at all times.

Different types of trash cans

A trash can is no longer the simple cylindrical container it used to be. Today there is an extensive variety of fashionable bins available in all shapes, sizes, materials and designs. There are cans designed especially for kitchens, for offices, for bathrooms, for the children's room and possibly every other space you can think of. Broadly modern trash cans can be classified in the following categories:

• Ashtrays Bins: These are more commonly used in commercial locations to offer customers and staff a convenient place to dispose their cigarette ash and butts. These are available in pole, wall mount and freestanding models. Ashtray bins are an absolute necessity in all areas which smokers frequent.

• Push Bins: These kinds of trash cans have a simple opening mechanism, a lid that has a push door on it through which you can conveniently slide the waste inside. Since the lid doesn't open fully, it is ideal for low clearance areas like below the kitchen counter or the bathroom counter.

• Pedal Bins: This is a trash can that opens up with the help of a foot pedal. These trash cans are great if you want to avoid touching the bin when disposing off the trash. Some of these bins come with a removable bucket which allows for easier disposal of the garbage. It also helps keep the main part of the bin clean and trash free. These come in various shapes like cylindrical, square or rectangular. The rectangular kind can be put against a wall to allow wider access. Do make sure the pedal mechanism of these bins works perfectly before you buy one for your home.

• Soft Touch Garbage Cans: In this type of bin, the lid opens with a simple soft touch. These soft touch bins are great for longer tasks as the smooth opening lid will stay open as long as you want it to. These kinds of bins normally have very wide opening to allow for larger volume of trash to be disposed in one go. In spite of this, they can still fit into relatively narrow spaces in your kitchen, providing you great space efficiency.

• Hands Free Trash Cans: These, as the name suggests, don't need to be touched at all while putting your waste in. Neither by your hand or your foot! These bins feature an innovative technology where a built in chip ensures a hands free operation. Every time you move near it, it will sense your presence and open up the lid automatically so that you can dispose the waste without touching any part of the bin. When you move away, the bin closes on its own.

• Mounted Kitchen Trash Cans: These kitchen trash cans are containers which are mounted either in the cabinet under the sink, or in other cabinet in the kitchen. On opening the door of the corresponding cabinet, the container slides out smoothly. Some of these containers have lids that open automatically. Some of them don't come with a lid and most people don't mind that as it slides under a cabinet anyway and is well concealed. Mounted kitchen trash cans provide optimal utilization of space in the kitchen.

• Pull out Kitchen Trash Cans: Pull out kitchen trash cans are mounted along the bottom of a cabinet and slide in and out when required. These trash cans are great for usage both in the kitchen and bathroom where maximum trash in the house is generated. These kitchen trash cans typically have large capacity and can hold a lot of trash at one time. You can also have option of installing a system that has more than one container. This not just helps you store more trash, but can also function as an effective waste segregation system. You could use one container for biodegradable kitchen waste, one for plastic and yet another one for paper. These are available with or without a lid.

• Waste Paper Baskets: These trash cans are only used for disposal of paper and other dry trash. Waste Paper baskets are typically designed with perforations or holes so you need to make sure that they are used to dispose of only that kind of stuff that cannot slide or slip out of these holes. There are other designs too without holes but the thing to remember with these bins is that these are only for dry trash and should not be used in kitchen or bathrooms. These typically do not come with a lid so do not use them for any trash that has an odor.

• Outdoor Trash cans: Outdoor trash cans are very vital for keeping our outdoors spic and span. Our homes may be tidy, but a littered outdoors is not good for the health of the community at large. Outdoor trash cans can be found in places like parks, outside public buildings, near tourist spots etc. Outdoor trash bins must be big enough to accommodate large volumes of trash and the opening mechanism should be such that the user does not come in contact with the bin while disposing the garbage.

What to consider when buying a trash can for your home

• Purpose: Whether you're buying a trash can for your home or your business, you need to know what the trash can is going to be used for. For dumping trash of course, but for what kind of trash? Wet trash in the kitchen, ash and cigarette butts in your office or paper in your study? There are different kinds of bins available for specific purposes so make sure you choose the right one.

• Size: Consider the amount of waste you're going to dispose off everyday. This will help you buy the right sized trash can for your home. Modern trash cans are available in various sizes to cater to all needs. One more important thing to consider is the size of the opening. Make sure it is big enough to accommodate slightly larger articles like food containers and tins etc.

• Material and styles: Modern trash cans are available in a range of materials and styles. From trash cans, aluminum trash cans, outdoor trash cans, plastic trash cans, pedal trash cans, wooden trash cans, recycling bins, to infrared sensor trash cans and self-extinguishing trash cans, you'll be amazed at the variety available. Choose something that meets your requirements. A colored bin could match perfectly with the color of your cabinets. A cement trash can is a great outdoor option as it is weather proof. If steel is the predominant feature in your kitchen, then opt for a steel trash can

Trash cans that make a style statement

We bring you a range of over 50 designer trash cans, predominantly in stainless steel that can do wonders for your interiors both in terms of functionality and visual appeal. You no longer have to conceal your trash can under the kitchen sink or in some other hidden corner to keep it out of sight. Our trash cans are presentable and stylish and can be used as great decor enhancers.

This range is presented by four of the top names in the home decor business today. Blomus, Brabantia, Umbra and Zack. Blomus is a company known for its high design quotient that makes stainless masterpieces. Their trash cans have simple designs but are extremely stylish! Brabantia is known for great looking, durable products that you use in everyday life. They bring you a wide range of trash cans in various styles and sizes which are space efficient and easy to clean. Zack is also associated with very creative products. Their range of high quality stainless steel trash cans will lend great style to your space. Umbra is a worldwide leader in original, casual, contemporary, and affordable accessories for the home. Their stylish trash can range includes the Umbra Garbino can, which has won several design awards.

Timeless and stylish designs, durable, strong materials and perfect functionality - that's the hallmark of our trash bins. Pick up one or several for your home today and create an environment that is elegant, clean and healthy.