There are some things that every kitchen needs, even if you’re not much of a cook.
We’re not just talking about those large appliances like ovens and fridge freezers. Without small details - like a kitchen bin, say - the whole room risks falling into complete and utter chaos.
Think we’re being dramatic? Perhaps. But while a bin may not be the sexiest purchase you’ll ever make for your kitchen, piles of rubbish strewn across the countertops and floors won’t do much for it either.
Pedal bins are perfect for arguably the busiest room in the house, allowing you to sweep in debris when your hands are busy making dinner or cleaning down surfaces. Simply step down to pop up the lid; it’s a simple mechanism that makes life in the kitchen a much more seamless experience.
Two things to consider: the capacity, and to a lesser degree, the style. If you’ve got a big household, you’re better off getting a bin that will hold a larger volume to avoid constantly traipsing out to the wheelie bin to empty its contents. Small kitchens, or homes where cooking isn’t a huge priority will find a small bin more suitable. In terms of colour and shape, you’re almost always looking at a tube design, either rounded or rectangular. There are plenty of colours to choose from though so shopping for a new bin needn’t be (that) boring.
If your bin is on its way out or you’ve been meaning to get a new one, we’ve rounded up the best pedal bins for the kitchen below.
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JosephJoseph Porta 40L Easy-empty Pedal Bin
Life is way too short to spend struggling with overloaded bin bags. JosephJoseph offers a solution to a problem we were always just resigned to by swinging open the front of its bin to make removal much easier. The 40L bin features all the usual features - soft-close lid, odour control, fingerproof-coating - as well as a pedal to make using it a doddle. Available in blue or light grey.
Buy now £149.00, John Lewis
simplehuman Dual Compartment Fingerprint Proof Liner Pocket Recycling Bin
A robust and high capacity bin that’s perfect for the needs of a busy family, shoppers love the look of simplehuman’s 58-litre unit. No need to fumble around for bin liners, as the design includes a specific pocket for them on the side.
Inside the compartment is split into two, making it easier to divide recyclables from other waste. It streamlines the process and makes it easier to do your bit for the planet.
Comes with a 10-year guarantee.
Buy now £199.95, John Lewis
Brabantia NewIcon Pedal Bin
Bin colours usually stick to the same old black, grey and stainless script so when you spy one that strikes out, well, you pay attention. For those who demand a slicker aesthetic from every detail - yes, even rubbish receptacles - Brabantia has its NewIcon bin available in a variety of pleasing hues. The 30L model comes with a foot-operated pedal, a non-slip base and a soft-close lid.
Buy now £55.00, Amazon
Dunelm 30/30L Recycling Bin
Just because its sole function is to guzzle all your rubbish doesn’t mean it can’t look stylish while it’s doing it. Offering another way to incorporate copper hues into your interiors, this metallic bin has twin compartments, each with room for 30 litres each. The smart-looking design comes with two pedals to operate each compartment independently, containing whiffy smells as well as excess waste.
Also available in a choice of colours.
Buy now £70.00, Dunelm
Habitat 30 Litre Domed Pedal bin
Available in this chic black hue that will suit any decor, this 30-litre capacity bin comes with a pedal to operate the top so you don’t need to faff around trying to lift the lid when you’re mid-way through cooking. Sleek and stylish.
Buy now £30.00, Argos
SONGMICS Recycling Bin
For big kitchens that take the business of recycling seriously, this Songmics bin is a bit of a beast. The shell contains three buckets to separate your glass, cardboard and plastic waste, making recycling a doddle.
Each bucket comes with carry handles to make it easy to transport, and also keeps mess contained should your liner split. The soft close lid prevents loud clangs while also keeping unpleasant odours where they should be - inside the bin. Each 18L compartment also has its own pedal so can be used individually.
Buy now £119.99, Amazon
KW Soft Shade Small Round Pedal Bin
If you’re finding you need a secondary bin in the kitchen, strategically placed where you do most of your cooking prep, a small design lik this round pedal bin could prove a wise investment. This dinky three-litre option comes in a choice of colours with same-day delivery to selected address for those with Prime membership.
Buy now £21.99, Amazon
John Lewis ANYDAY Pedal Bin
If you haven’t had a chance to look through John Lewis’s ANYDAY range of affordable homewares yet, take this as your cue. The collection is heaving with well-made pieces that’ll go the distance, and all at reasonable prices. The line of pedal bins come in a blue palette as well as classic black and white, slotting nicely into your interiors theme. It will also hold upto 30L of trash, so ideal for small families and houseshares.
Buy now £45.00, John Lewis
George at Asda Mustard Pedal Bin 30L
A bin in a sunny egg-yolk yellow will make the thing a little less of an eyesore. With a foot pedal and a soft-close lid, this cheerful unit makes light work of keeping things tidy. The inner bucket is removeable too, helpful if you’ve overpacked the bucket and want to remove it without the bag splitting.
Buy now £30.00, George at Asda
