Commercial Trash Can Sizes
Commercial trash cans help maintain sanitary environments by containing waste and supporting efficient custodial operations. The FDA requires professional kitchens to have refuse receptacles that are durable, cleanable, leakproof, nonabsorbent, and insect and rodent resistant.1 Explore the most common sizes and styles to keep your professional environment clean.
Trash Can Size Chart
| Style | Dimensions (in.) | Capacity | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waste Basket | 11 L x 8 W x 12 H – 15 L x 11 W x 20 H | 13–40 qts. | Office waste, host stand, undercounter use |
| Slim Trash Can | 22 L x 11 W x 26 H – 22 L x 11 W x 30 H | 13–23 gal. | Classrooms, hallways, front of house |
| Large Trash Can | 15 dia. x 17 H – 26 dia. x 33 H | 10–55 gal. | Kitchen food scraps, bulky trash items |
| Wheeled Trash Can | 28 L x 23 W x 36 H – 35 L x 27 W x 45 H | 50–95 gal. | Transporting trash, residential trash pickup |
| Trash Carts | 58 L x 32 W x 28 H – 80 L x 43 W x 49 H | 1/2–11/2 cu. yd. | Transporting trash in bulk |
Standard Commercial Trash Can Sizes Explained
Waste Baskets
As the smallest trash can size, waste baskets typically meet the everyday trash needs of offices or small break rooms. They're designed to fit in small spaces, such as under desks or counters, and typically accommodate 4- to 13-gallon bags.
Slim Trash Cans
With a maximum width of 11 inches, these thin and tall containers hold enough trash for a medium-sized classroom or busy hallway. The low profile and professional appearance are ideal for front-of-house use, reception areas, and other high-traffic environments. They also come with lids to contain odors and keep insects and rodents out. Use 20- to 30-gallon liners or larger for slim cans.
Large Trash Cans
Large trash cans are more often used in the back of house for bulk food waste, disposables, and plastics. Typically round with durable handles and options for attaching wheels, they hold up to 55 gallons and require 55- to 60-gallon bags.
Wheeled Trash Cans
Commonly used in residential trash collection, wheeled trash cans can also serve commercial kitchens by enabling workers to transport trash from the kitchen to outdoor dumpsters. They can hold nearly 100 gallons and have heavy lids for overnight storage and insect and rodent deterrence.
Trash Cart
Trash carts are the largest trash containers available aside from dumpsters. Designed to hold up to 2,000 pounds or 11/2 cubic feet of trash, they're durably built and easily transportable. Use these for large areas like food halls, cafeterias, or hotels where trash collectors need to maximize storage space during multiple trash runs.
How to Choose the Right Trash Can Size
Follow these steps to find the best trash can for each space:
- Count and categorize all rooms and spaces, including bathrooms, janitorial closets, kitchens, offices, and indoor or outdoor dining areas
- Choose trash can sizes and styles based on room use, expected daily trash output, and foot traffic. Ideally, trash cans should hold at least one day's worth of trash
- For foodservice operations, station your largest trash cans near your dishwashing station, where most waste is generated
- Find a trash cart that matches the capacity of your total daily trash runs
Types of Trash Cans
- Decorative trash cans: Multiple styles and colors to match your theme
- Outdoor trash cans: Built to withstand weather and outdoor settings
- Step trash cans: Hands-free lid maintains hygiene
- Bathroom trash cans: Standalone or with built-in paper towel dispensers and typically made of stainless steel for simple cleaning
- Recycle bins: Blue and clearly marked for disposing clean paper and plastic products
- Biohazard containers: Sanitary containers with warnings for holding potentially infectious items
FAQ: Commercial Trash Can Sizes
What are standard commercial garbage can capacities?
Commercial wastebasket sizes range from 13 to 40 quarts (about 3 to 10 gallons), while large trash cans typically have a 10-, 20-, 32-, 44-, or 55-gallon capacity.
How do I choose the right trash can size for my business?
Consider each bin's location, expected trash volume, and what type of trash it will collect. Place larger sizes around the kitchen, prep, and dishwashing area, and areas frequented by janitors. Waste baskets or slim containers suit offices, classrooms, waiting rooms, or lobbies.
What trash bag sizes should I use?
Buying multiple bag sizes for every garbage in your building can be inefficient and confusing. Instead, we recommend stocking a bulk supply of both small (10- to 13-gallon) trash bags and large trash bags for your largest cans. Tie off trash bags that are too large for any medium-sized bins.
Shop All Commercial Trash Cans at KaTom
Every operation needs effective trash disposal methods. KaTom offers durable, sanitary, and easy-to-clean trash containers in every standard professional size. Shop commercial trash cans to find the right fit for your operation.
References
- FDA Food Code 2022. 5-501.13 (A). FDA. Accessed November 2025.
