For as long as I can remember, we’ve had a temporary and ugly solution to a permanent problem in our kitchen: A plastic bag hanging on the door or a cardboard box to hold all of our weekly recyclable materials in.
Whenever that bag got full, it was transferred to our large lidded recycling bin in the backyard and rolled out for its weekly collection. Now, I have upgraded to the new Caraway Trash & Recycling System that blends vital space-saving functionality with sleek design.
I will confess that despite my drive to be sustainable at home, there have been times when laziness overtook good intentions, and I put recyclable materials in the trash can to avoid the trip across the kitchen to our makeshift recycling catch-all. Now, both bins not only sit side by side neatly, but my recycling is more organized, and the bin design is easy to clean and very aesthetically pleasing; it's a win-win!
Why I’ve Been Impressed With the Caraway Trash & Recycling System
There are two variations available; they can either form an L-shape together so that the trash can has a pedal on the longer side, as mine does, pictured below, or sit sleekly side by side at one depth, with the foot pedal to the side as pictured here. This is more suitable for smaller spaces as it has a slim width without compromising its 13-gallon capacity.
I’ve been testing this new launch in my home for the last month in the run-up to its release, and rate it for being space-saving in my kitchen but still spacious (the trash can has a 45L capacity, as does the two-tiered recycling vestibule).
The trash bag has not slipped down into the can once; the interior and exterior are very easy to clean and resist the finger marks and daily grime I had to clean daily on my previous stainless steel trash can.
The Careway trash can and recycling storage system has several excellent features that make everyday cleaning and kitchen needs easier, and which will mean I will never go back to a rogue plastic bag or cardboard box to hold my recyclable items.
- The interior bins lift out easily, so you can empty what you've collected once or twice a week into an outdoor trash can that gets wheeled curbside for collection and clean them with ease.
- Whilst it is advised that you fully clean any jars you wish to recycle to ensure proper processing at the plant, the inside areas can sometimes get sticky or smelly if you ever skip this. The interior parts lift out for easy trash can cleaning and are remarkably smudge and mark-proof, as promised, which speaks to the quality of Caraway's materials and finish. This is something I have grown accustomed to from this heritage brand, especially in their best non-toxic cookware. The exterior is smudge proof and and marks wipe clean with one swipe. I use a homemade cleaning spray with two cups of water, a tiny squirt of dishsoap (which acts as a surfactant), and 10-15 drops of my favorite essential oil. I wipe down the interior and exterior weekly with a hot, soapy sponge as well for antibacterial purposes.
- There are two points of access in the recycling container, depending on the size of the item you’re looking to put in. Two top hatches lift to help you access the top and bottom layers (you’ll also need to pull the top bin out a touch to gain access to the bin underneath from the top), or you can pull the bin out like a drawer for larger items.
- You don’t need any special liners: The 13-gallon ones I usually use have worked just fine here, too, and tuck neatly under the framing that keeps it in place.
- The soft-close lid, which is brilliantly squeak-free, is a nice touch, too.
Verdict: 10/10. After more than a month of constant daily use, I have no gripes about this upgrade, and in fact, it matches very well with my Caraway food container set in 'Perracotta', and my Our Place 11-Piece Essentials Cooking Set in Terracotta, which I recently reviewed and rated 5/5 stars, both in warm hues, which I keep on display in my kitchen diner.
There is now a nice cohesion around my kitchen with these PFAs-free cookware and food storage essentials, making the space feel in tune, rather than mismatched. Plus, I no longer have to contend with trying to keep the dirtiest item in my kitchen clear of smudges, which showed so much on my previous trash can.
This has made my kitchen-diner feel actually quite expensive.
Hebe Hatton, Head of Interiors and a design expert here at Homes & Gardens, says, ‘Trash cans aren't the most glamorous part of a kitchen, but they are essential, and they need to always be accessible. So, finding a design that won't bring the style of your kitchen down, won't draw too much attention to itself, and performs its job well is key.
‘This new Caraway design ticks all those boxes: It's sleek and design-forward, but it's never going to dominate a space – it sits quietly (and chicly) in the background. It's also available in five very on-trend colors, so you can pick depending on your scheme – they are all on the muted side and have an earthy feel that's very 2026.’
You can also buy the Caraway duo items separately, and invest either in the chic Slim Caraway trash can (or rectangular version), or the two-drawer recycling bin.
What to Shop
While I have found Caraway items to be on the premium end of the market in terms of pricing, I have found the items I have tested extensively in my home to be of superior quality and well worth the price tag.
However, whatever your budget, I have curated some excellent kitchen upgrades that will save you space, improve your kitchen’s functionality, and preserve or inject a touch of design-forward thought into your space.
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
Enjoy the trendy matte brown exterior of this compact 2 x 8-gallon duo. It features two easily-removed buckets, one dedicated to trash, and the other for recycling. It’s also available in stainless steel, matte black, or cream.
Hide multiple messy elements of your home in this design-first cabinet that has pull-out cabinets for laundry, recycling, and trash. Interior bins (10 gallons) not provided. This is also available in half the width if you have a smaller utility area.
If short on space, go vertical, and definitely combine functionality wherever possible. This clever 8-gallon three-in-one provides a space to put your trash, small recyclables, store liners/tissues, and other kitchen essentials to hand.
Whether it’s composting scraps, recyling or regular trash, this vertically stacked combo is perfect for smaller kitchens as it uses vertical height to give you that extra space instead of going sideways and increasing its footprint.
Store BPA-free, non-toxic cutting boards out of sight inside cabinets, or under shelving, while retaining easy accessibility. These can be cleaned in the dishwasher. The durable caddy is made of polypropylene, which is light and non-toxic.
This countertop compost bin can also slot onto the inside of a cabinet door, hiding it from view if needed, without compromising your access. It has two lid functions: soft close and tight seal to make sure smells don’t escape, and stays open for scraping.
Sometimes, upgrading just one item in your kitchen can make all the difference to the daily functionality of it, whether it’s a sleeker designed trash system, such as the new one from Caraway, or a non-toxic fruit storage tower you don’t have to hide away.
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