10 Clever Tricks to Hide Rubbish in the Kitchen
Whether composting, recycling or stowing general garbage before it's transferred to the 'big bin', here are 10 solutions
Once upon a time dealing with kitchen waste was simple – food scraps went to the dog or in the bin, while cardboard, papers and even plastics(!) were burned by our parents in the Besser block incinerator that resided in the corner of most Australian backyards.
How times have changed, and for the better.
In the interests of the earth’s longevity, most of us now have a commitment to composting and recycling our kitchen waste. Below, you’ll find 10 suggestions for seamlessly sorting and storing your garbage, and a handful of systems that make composting less of a chore, ensuring the scrap bucket remains odour and bug free.
How times have changed, and for the better.
In the interests of the earth’s longevity, most of us now have a commitment to composting and recycling our kitchen waste. Below, you’ll find 10 suggestions for seamlessly sorting and storing your garbage, and a handful of systems that make composting less of a chore, ensuring the scrap bucket remains odour and bug free.
2. In-built bench bins
The sleek stainless-steel lid hides a removable 15-litre bin. Designed by German company Franke, the unit is perfect for composting. Installed flush to the bench it means that vegetable scraps can be scraped directly from the chopping board into the bin. It is also wonderfully space saving – it doesn’t take up floor space and can be installed in the ever-difficult-to-use-effectively corner of your bench.
The sleek stainless-steel lid hides a removable 15-litre bin. Designed by German company Franke, the unit is perfect for composting. Installed flush to the bench it means that vegetable scraps can be scraped directly from the chopping board into the bin. It is also wonderfully space saving – it doesn’t take up floor space and can be installed in the ever-difficult-to-use-effectively corner of your bench.
3. Removable tin bins
This country-style kitchen uses practical, hardy vinatge style tin bins, to separate and hold refuse and recyclables. Adding bins, like these, that are in keeping with your kitchen decor is an easy, inexpensive solution to sorting waste. The fact that they are easy to remove from the kitchen, means they can be hosed out regularly.
This country-style kitchen uses practical, hardy vinatge style tin bins, to separate and hold refuse and recyclables. Adding bins, like these, that are in keeping with your kitchen decor is an easy, inexpensive solution to sorting waste. The fact that they are easy to remove from the kitchen, means they can be hosed out regularly.
4. Sorting storage
The Swedes are masters of practicality and cleanliness, and in nearly every home you’ll find this inexpensive, very efficient waste-sorting system. With a large bin for paper and cardboard, two smaller ones for glass and cans, and a final for rubbish or compost, your household garbage will always be organised.
The Swedes are masters of practicality and cleanliness, and in nearly every home you’ll find this inexpensive, very efficient waste-sorting system. With a large bin for paper and cardboard, two smaller ones for glass and cans, and a final for rubbish or compost, your household garbage will always be organised.
5. A recycling chute
This bespoke, drop-down copper door hides a recycling chute. Ideal for kitchens that back onto a garage or outdoor area, a recycling bin is positioned at the bottom of the chute to catch the likes of plastics or paper.
This bespoke, drop-down copper door hides a recycling chute. Ideal for kitchens that back onto a garage or outdoor area, a recycling bin is positioned at the bottom of the chute to catch the likes of plastics or paper.
6. Tight-fitting lids
This compact system has two smaller compartments for organic waste. One, for composting and the other for non-compostable waste (think bones, orange peel etc). Both have tight-fitting lids that ensure kitchen odours and flies stay away.
This compact system has two smaller compartments for organic waste. One, for composting and the other for non-compostable waste (think bones, orange peel etc). Both have tight-fitting lids that ensure kitchen odours and flies stay away.
7. Island stowaways
This compact kitchen island features a swinging bin that can be stowed when not it use. Attached to the end of the bench, it also allows you to scrape waste straight from the bench.
This compact kitchen island features a swinging bin that can be stowed when not it use. Attached to the end of the bench, it also allows you to scrape waste straight from the bench.
8. Conscientious covers
If you don’t like to look at your garbage, then a system like this one that provides a lid for each bin might be the answer. The lids have been labelled so that family members can easily figure out which bin is for what rubbish.
If you don’t like to look at your garbage, then a system like this one that provides a lid for each bin might be the answer. The lids have been labelled so that family members can easily figure out which bin is for what rubbish.
9. Practical storage disguised as accessories
If your under-sink space is choc-full of plumbing and cleaning products, then housing your recycling on a shelf might be the answer. This kitchen uses two deep easy-to-remove baskets – one holds paper and cardboard; the other, glass and aluminum.
If your under-sink space is choc-full of plumbing and cleaning products, then housing your recycling on a shelf might be the answer. This kitchen uses two deep easy-to-remove baskets – one holds paper and cardboard; the other, glass and aluminum.
10. Under-table stash
This Mosman, Sydney, kitchen, by designer Marni Burger, utilises a huge French wicker basket under the table as a chic option for storing recycling. “The kitchen was tight, and I felt that we needed to keep the French feeling right down to the waste storage,” says Burger. Large enough to house a week’s worth of newspapers, the large rope handles also make it easy to slide out from under the table to discard the contents.
This Mosman, Sydney, kitchen, by designer Marni Burger, utilises a huge French wicker basket under the table as a chic option for storing recycling. “The kitchen was tight, and I felt that we needed to keep the French feeling right down to the waste storage,” says Burger. Large enough to house a week’s worth of newspapers, the large rope handles also make it easy to slide out from under the table to discard the contents.
This clever, compact drawer system houses kitchen scraps ready for composting, a rubbish bin underneath and a receptacle complete with lid to hide the mess of recycling.