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I usually don’t buy duplicates of things — which is why I own just one big kitchen knife instead of a whole set of specialized knives — but I made an exception for this little waste bin. It hangs inside the cabinet door under my kitchen sink and I use it to hold all the food scraps I end up with after cooking, as well as unsightly food bits from my sink’s strainer. Although I have a full-size trash can only a few feet away, this tiny one has made both cooking and cleaning quicker for me, and I’m so glad I bought it.
If I had easier access to composting (and more counter space), I might be tempted to try one of those composting bins. But for now, I use this one to handle all my cooking debris. I no longer have to carry food scraps to my main trash can, which means I avoid dripping anything on the floor, and it corrals all my food-related trash to one small area that can be emptied whenever I need to — no more stinking up my trash can and waiting for it to get full before taking it out. If you cook at all, even once or twice a week, I seriously recommend adding this to your kitchen.
What is the VIGIND Hanging Trash Can
This tiny bin attaches to the inside door or wall of a cabinet with your choice of adhesive or hanging clips. It’s about 1 foot tall, 6 inches deep, and weighs less than 2 pounds, and if you prefer, you can set it on the ground or on a counter to use it as a free-standing bin. The lid opens two different ways: one by flipping up and the other by folding over the front (where it can be left open as long as you need). So no matter how your kitchen is arranged, you’ll be able to easily open and close this with just one hand.
The lid also has a plastic bench scraper tucked inside it that’s super useful for gathering bits of food from your counters and dumping them into the bin. Cleaning the lid is easy because it’s removable, and by the same token, you can use the lid to secure your trash bag of choice in place. I reuse plastic takeout bags because they’re the perfect size and, more importantly, free.
Why I Love the VIGIND Hanging Trash Can
I like this tiny waste bin for two main reasons: its size and its construction. The fact that it fits seamlessly beneath my kitchen sink and still leaves room for all my cleaning supplies and canned cat food is a big plus. It never gets in the way or knocks things over, and when I’m not actively using it, it’s easy to forget it’s there — which is exactly what I want out of a food scraps bin. As for its lid, I really like that I can open it two different ways and even keep it propped open if I have a lot of stuff to toss inside.
Other under-sink waste bins didn’t interest me because they were too big, or required drilling and screws to install, or didn’t have a lid. But this budget-friendly find has changed my tune when it comes to having a waste receptacle near my sink.
The only thing I don’t like about it is that because I strictly use it for food, the waste in it tends to start smelling after a few days. But, the smell is far less noticeable than when my large trash can used to be filled with rotting food waste, and because I empty this small one so frequently, it’s not an issue. This still helps me keep my kitchen tidy and makes the time I spend doing meal prep more efficient, so I definitely recommend it.