| the need to separate waste and recyclable materials | | | | to cleaning materials. Avoid locating a bin in a corner |
| in the home, solutions fitted inside kitchen or utility | | | | unit as you will find it hard to access the area in the |
| cabinets are becoming very popular. The options | | | | back of the cupboard. If you have limited space try |
| available range from low cost door mounted single | | | | using a large freestanding bin for waste combined |
| bins to multi-compartment, multi-layer systems that | | | | with a recycling system. Important: Measure the |
| slide out. | | | | space you have available in your cabinet (height, |
| Here are some key factors to consider when | | | | width and depth) to ensure you buy a system that |
| choosing your waste/recycling system. | | | | will fit. |
| 1. Budget: If you want the lowest cost system you | | | | 4. Location: The best location will usually be as close |
| should consider using multiple door mounted bins. | | | | to the food preparation area as possible. Bear in mind |
| These are lightweight, inexpensive and effective. | | | | you should ideally limit storing tins, airtight containers |
| Usually the lid will open as you open the cupboard | | | | and cleaning materials in a cupboard that contains a |
| door. The downside is that each bin will take up | | | | bin/recycling unit to prevent contamination. Also avoid |
| space in the front of the cupboard it is located in. If | | | | locating a waste system in a cupboard that has a |
| cost is not a big factor go for the largest system | | | | source of heat, for example heating pipes. |
| you can afford and find space for. | | | | 5. Installing: Modern systems usually come ready-built |
| 2. Number of compartments: Find out how many | | | | so they can be fitted very easily. Usually it’s |
| different ways you will be separating waste/recycling. | | | | just a case of fixing the mechanism to the base of |
| Make sure you have at least this number of | | | | the cabinet, and if it bin is designed to open with the |
| compartments as having less will only be frustrating if | | | | door, then another fixing to the door. If |
| you are making trips to the garage for one type of | | | | you’re not sure try fitting it with minimal |
| waste and not the other. Also consider that you may | | | | screws not fully inserted. Open and close the door |
| be required to split your waste further in the future, | | | | then open the bin system, if all looks OK, screw the |
| so it’s worth factoring this in. | | | | fixing in completely. Most bins can be fitted in less |
| 3. Space: Single layer systems can usually fit under a | | | | than 5 minutes. |
| sink making excellent use of a space usually resigned | | | | |