You probably don’t give your bins much thought day-to-day, but without a proper system in place, they can quickly turn your kitchen into chaos. This is especially important now that all homes in England must separate their recycling into five containers under the new Simpler Recycling rules.
Confusion over which waste goes where – and when bin day is – can result in collections being missed for weeks, leading to problems like pests and an unsightly mess.
Whether you're overwhelmed by too many bins to sort or are simply unsure where to store them, we've curated five clever ideas to help you get on top of your recycling and make this chore a breeze.
Article continues below1. Hide your bins in a kitchen drawer
Since my galley kitchen is very narrow and short, the only place I can realistically store my bins is in the drawer under the sink. I have plenty of other cupboards, so I don’t miss this storage space, and I like how it blends in with the rest of the units.
To keep your bins organised and in one place, you can buy a drawer frame and compatible bins that slot into position. These usually come with a handle, making them easy to lift in and out when you need to empty them into your main wheelie bin outside. This idea works particularly well for managing waste when you have no outdoor space.
My bin drawer shopping picks
This budget-friendly drawer frame keeps your bins divided, organised, and stable.
This 10-litre bin fits perfectly into the frame on the left and comes with a lid to help contain odours.
2. Conceal your bins in an outdoor store
If you hate the way your wheelie bin looks outside your home, a wooden store offers the perfect solution – and it can even be painted the same colour as your exterior or fence to help it blend in.
Not only does it add curb appeal to an otherwise unattractive item, but it also helps keep your bins clean, dry, and secure, reducing the chance of unwanted pests getting inside.
Shop these stylish outdoor bin solutions
Don’t let ugly bins ruin your garden's aesthetic – these natural timber crates will keep them out of view.
Perfect for storing food and glass caddies, this wooden storage unit features three shelves to make sorting easier.
3. Label your containers to make bin day easy
If you live with young children (or are just particularly forgetful, like me), labelling your bins with stickers makes it easier to remember what goes where – especially since the recycling rules have recently changed.
Becky Purchas, a professional decluttering and organising coach, recommends giving each bin its own category to "avoid confusion" and help the whole household recycle correctly. This will help prevent unwanted fines from putting items in the wrong bin.
These waterproof stickers make recycling easier for the whole family.
4. Think beyond the kitchen
It’s easy to centre your household recycling around your kitchen, but don’t forget about your bedroom, bathroom and home office, which collect more waste than you might think.
Having a dual-compartment bin for general waste and recycling will make it easier to sort later down the line and reduce the amount you throw away in a rush (I’ve been guilty of this!) Things like toilet roll tubes and paper scraps soon build up, so it’s key to have an appropriate bin to put them in.
"Think beyond the kitchen. Place small recycling bins in bathrooms, home offices or other rooms that generate their own recyclables to make sorting easier throughout the home," says Becky Purchas.
This five-litre pedal bin offers two separate compartments and comes in four lovely shades: cream, sage, brushed chrome, and black.
5. Create a dedicated recycling station
To make recycling as easy as possible, Becky Purchas recommends keeping your bins, liners, and cleaning supplies all in one place so everything you need is within reach. “It saves time and keeps the process consistent,” she explains.
As well as a dedicated space for supplies, you’ll also need an area where you can let recyclables dry once you’ve cleaned them. Many people forget this, but putting wet jars into your bins will encourage mould growth and bad smells, so it’s definitely worth investing in a drying mat (like the one below).
"I always say your bin setup should work with your daily routine, not against it," adds Kelly Moore, founder of Cleaning with Meaning. "If it looks tidy and is simple to use, your family are far more likely to stick to it. It is about creating a system that feels effortless while still doing the right thing for the environment."
Shop these recycling essentials
This sink strainer prevents your drain from clogging when you wash food containers.
This microfibre mat helps your rinsed jars dry faster and can hold four times its weight in water.
Overspilling recycling bin? This handy tool crushes your bottles, cans, and tins down to a compact size.
Becky Purchas is a professional organiser and declutter coach, and the founder of White Space. With a warm and encouraging approach, Becky cuts through the physical and mental clutter, to create clarity and functional space that supports wellbeing.
Kelly Moore is the Founder of Cleaning With Meaning, a Kent-based eco-cleaning business committed to delivering exceptional cleaning services without toxic chemicals or single-use plastics.
Managing multiple bins can be tricky – especially if you live in a flat or a smaller space – but these solutions will make your recycling system easier to use and more attractive to look at.
Found this helpful? You may also want to find out where to get rid of your waste now recycling rules are changing and how to dispose of garden waste.
