Take Your Recycling Station From Blah to 'Ahhhh'
Revamp an eyesore setup or just improve recycling efficiency with pullout drawers, stylish containers and innovative solutions
Amber Hopman
April 21, 2013
Getting rid of empty cans and junk mail is an easy process for most of us, at least in the U.S. — just dump everything into the all-materials recycling bin and, magically, the city does the rest. For others, getting all those recyclables sorted — and out of the kitchen — is a hassle, involving unattractive storage bins, material confusion and flat-out lack of space.
If your current home recycling station just isn't cutting it, it might be time to give it a makeover. Whether you decide to merely swap out your bags or old bins for nice new models — or splurge on clever built-ins — you're in good company: A survey by the American Institute of Architects revealed that 40 percent of homeowners are now carving out more space for recycling.
So this year as Arbor Day and Earth Day roll around, it may be time to get serious about that paper and plastic. These eye-catching containers and hidden storage solutions will help you reach those go-green dreams — and they look good, too.
If your current home recycling station just isn't cutting it, it might be time to give it a makeover. Whether you decide to merely swap out your bags or old bins for nice new models — or splurge on clever built-ins — you're in good company: A survey by the American Institute of Architects revealed that 40 percent of homeowners are now carving out more space for recycling.
So this year as Arbor Day and Earth Day roll around, it may be time to get serious about that paper and plastic. These eye-catching containers and hidden storage solutions will help you reach those go-green dreams — and they look good, too.
Out with the cleaning supplies and in with the recycling bins. Because of the convenient under-the-sink location of these these pullout containers, you can't possibly forget about them. It's the perfect combo: easy access without the eyesore.
These affordable buckets, paired with fun labels by Sarah from Sarah Hearts, work great for smaller families (and are nice to look at). Download the labels for free here.
This wire rolling bin allows for easy sorting and transporting, while its on-trend design makes it a nice kitchen or mudroom addition.
If space in the kitchen is an issue, relocate bulky containers to your garage and downsize with a pullout drawer and small bins. This setup keeps everything accessible while freeing up your kitchen for more relevant tasks.
Target
Make use of vertical space with this spirited stacked recycling center. The bright colors are fun, while the closable lids and side handles make transportation easy.
When no other container makes the cut, get creative and make your own, like Chris from ManMade did here using corrugated plastic. For less than $25, you can make just-right bins to fit snugly in a pantry, cabinet or tight kitchen corner.
Avoid bulky recycling bins altogether by installing a recycle chute. This clever contraption simplifies the process, though it won't sort your plastics from your glass.
If you're looking for a quick DIY project, create a small bin for junk mail and old magazines. Jacqueline from Simple Home Life used a pallet, wheels, stencils and paint to create this one-of-a-kind crate.
For those with an oversize drawer to spare, these all-in-one containers will help you fill the space. The bins are small, though, so expect frequent treks to your bigger bins outside.
Amazon
Although they might not seem like much, these colorful, inexpensive bags ensure a stress-free recycling process. They're easy to wash, labeled by materials and really simple to move outdoors when full.
Amazon
For those who love the stainless steel look, this three-in-one bin will fit right into a sleek metallic kitchen. The color-coded pedals help differentiate the materials, and each bin lifts out individually for a quick grab-and-go.
Make going green a habit by placing the recycling bin next to the trash can. This terrific recycling hub has a built-in compost drawer paired with a pullout trash can and a general recycling drawer. It makes for easy cleanup without taking up valuable floor space.
When size trumps appearance, this one takes the cake. It can store an impressive number of bottles and cans, which means fewer trips out to the big bin.
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I mean - I really hate recycling. I don't much care about nature preserving > when my body hurts like it does. Seriously, it hurts to stand in front of a sink to wash some stupid old used glass jar for to put in recycling. I can not carry much and I do not have energy to start making several trips to where ever that trash needs to be taken (here for example, in the current place, its two blocks away). Recently some of my stuff arrived here in boxes as I am moving from my old country to my man's - and I could not physically rip those boxes small enough my self.
I suspect we will not have a lot of extra space in the new apartment either to make some 'station'. I don't have that nagging bone in me to order others around - so spare me smarts about telling my man to do it. That wont remove the problem - as in telling me to tell someone else to do. I need to be able to do at least that much my self.
There is and likely still will be, even in the larger place, no space to have several containers. I wont have any kitchen trash can inside something that is a built in structure cause one day I would need to bend under things to clean the space. There is no physical ability to deal with separating bag from container that is somewhere inside and under something near the level of the floor (when the dammed container will likely follow the bag) - or for that matter any will to make many travels outside. It really is a physical issue that too. I do not have a car. I do not have a fireplace to burn it all.
I know it is the law to do. A home will make trash every day. But its not a solution for me to separate one type of trash from other. It is annoyance just to do, yes - but that part of it aside - it also is a lot of extra steps for me. I can not eliminate the distance - so how the hell will I get that crap out from here with out having to separate it and still separating it?
(I hope you understood that - I really want to find a way to drag it all out at the same time and be done with it - without having to carry several bags. Also I would appreciate a way to not have to have a lot of containers to deal with and clean.)
That basket with wheels is closest thing to a solution. Just a rope tied to that and drag it down the road? Seriously - it would stop to the stairs.
I do hear you. My garbage pick up company charges to take it away. That really bugged me, I do all the steps and then also get an extra charge. So far awhile I stopped garbage pick up and took stuff myself to the dump and recycling center. It stacks up, gets ugly and then I finally borrow a vehicle to take it away. There has to be an easier way. I love Amazon, but all the damn cardboard was ridiculous. However, I was brought up recycling and it's a must for me. I cringe when I see my friend through the wine bottle in the garbage. YIKES.
Tyriga - How about a pull-out bin under your sink or in a nearby cabinet? You can get one for about $100 or less, with multiple bins on a pull-out stand (you can put a trash bag in it, so no scrubbing), so everything is right there at the sink where you need it. Then when it's full, let hubby run it out to bigger bins in the garage or outside. Recycling is the right thing to do, not just for us, but for our kids and grandkids. Americans are very selfish. Time to start thinking about others, not just yourself. And I have fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis for the last 17 years, and I'm in pain all the time too, so don't say I don't understand what you're living with. Seriously, how truly painful is it to rinse out a jar or bottle while you're doing dishes, and throw it in a bin under the sink? Sorry, all your excuses are not good enough.