9 replies to this topic

[happyrocinante]

I have been trying to get a system set up in my kitchen for recycling and I am having difficulties.  I don't have the room for several different bins (my entire house is only 850 square feet.)  Can you give me some tips or ideas on how to set up an area for a small space?  Thanks

[Shortpoet-GTD]

I know it's buying more stuff (Oh no-consumerism ) but in your case-
check out those basket (metal-sliding) systems. Find them in the office section of stores or on-line.
Check second hand stores too.
Free standing or mount on the wall with anchors.
Like this-
http://storagesystem...80mmbasket3.JPG
It might be small, but considering the space
you have allowed, it might be the answer.
Or any other stacking, easily accessed system would work.

[zararina]

We have  small area outside (inside the compound) in where we hang some reusable bags or sacks. We use those bags to segregate some recyclable items like cans, plastics and bottles.
Maybe you can still put some hanging cabinets or bags in the wall if you do not have little space outside. If you have old cabinet that you are planning to replaced, it could be used to as storage for your recycling set up.

[happyrocinante]

Thank you both for the suggestions.  I will look into those shelving for sure.  I think my only problem with these are that my cats will try and take them over for beds.  The cats would also be in them all the time.  Hmmm....  I am not sure these would work after all.  One of my cats thinks he is a dog and is constantly dragging things around the house.  I wonder if there is some way to cover them or something so they aren't so open.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

happyrocinante, on 08 May 2012 - 08:02 AM, said:

Thank you both for the suggestions.  I will look into those shelving for sure.  I think my only problem with these are that my cats will try and take them over for beds.  The cats would also be in them all the time.  Hmmm....  I am not sure these would work after all.  One of my cats thinks he is a dog and is constantly dragging things around the house.  I wonder if there is some way to cover them or something so they aren't so open.

Sure.
Google images. Just type in-(for instance) containers, stackables. plastic shelving, metal
shelving-whatever you're looking for.
http://images.google.com/
It will bring up lots of pix to sort through.
Open, closed, stackable. I only posted that as an idea to start with.
Good luck and let us know what you come up with.

[mariaandrea]

Mine doesn't get any simpler or cheaper. I have paper grocery bags under the sink. One for garbage, one for recyclables (because you can put all recyclables in one dumpster here, which makes things easy). I also have small paper bags (doubled up, lunchbag size) for food waste that goes in the compost/yard waste bin. I don't spend money on garbage bags, re-use bags I get from the grocery store, which can be recycled, and haven't spent money on a trash bin. And the garbage is out of sight and would be out of reach of cats and dogs if we had them.

[steph84]

That sounds like a great system mariaandrea! I was just looking for a new garbage bin and it was $35 at Target. Wild! I just got a $9 bin and it lasted me for years. I have a recycling area out back and sort my glass and plastic then the other goes into the city recycling bin. I am always walking up and down those back stairs because I recycle so much and don't have room for bins in the house. It's great exercise!

[FamilyTreeClimber]

I don't really have a system.  I throw food scraps into the green bin when I'm done cooking.  We have a problem with ants, so we can't leave them in a bin in the house.

I usually have one bag in the spare room for paper and plastic recycling.  That bag can be emptied and reused.  I empty it once or twice a week.

Other recyclables get put on the table in the kitchen.  I take out that stuff every evening after dinner and put it in the recycle bin.

[Pat]

I don't really have a system. People in my house throw everything into the trash, I go into the trash and take out the recycle items. We have a can for recycle, cans, bottles and paper.

[dconklin]

I have 2 Home Depot 5 gallon buckets that I put our recycling in.  I purchased them a while back to plant tomato plants in and now that I have enough of a yard to plant a small garden outside, I didn't need the buckets for the plants.  A couple years ago I started to use these buckets for the recyclables.  I keep mine out on my deck by the kitchen door, but they are small enough to keep inside if needed too.  My Aunt uses her small plastic bags to pile recyclables in by the sink.  When that gets full she puts it into the big recycling bin she has outside.  

The town hasn't made me buy a special recycling bin so I just take those buckets out each week and have had no problems.