Preparing for Vanlife or RV Life can be overwhelming... there are so much details to think about! Here's one detail you might have overlooked: a trash can. Because no one wants to live with a loose garbage bag... It stinks, let garbage out, it's ugly and not sanitary. We highly recommend a pedal-operated trash can with lid to keep odors and loose garbage contained. Below is a selection of small, space-saving and neat trash cans perfect for campervan or RV! Hope that helps!
Good to Know
Shape
A rectangular shape is more space efficient, so our selection take that into account.
Pedal (Step-On)
A pedal (step-on) mechanism allows a hands-free operation. That’s convenient and sanitary!
Garbage Bags
Any “white” garbage bags will work with our selection of trash cans below, or you can use garbage bags specifically made for trash cans under 2.6 gallon:
Size
Choose the largest trash can size that your campervan/RV layout allows, so you don’t have to empty it too often.
1.32 gallon
iTouchless
- Volume: 1.32 Gallon
- Dimensions: 6" L x 8.25" W x 11.5" H (Lid Open Height: 16.5")
- Removable inner bucket
- Soft and silent lid close/open
- Lid stay-open mode (to change bag)
- Pedal is in front of the wide side
This is the size we personally have in our campervan. A trash can this small fits neatly in our sink/oven cabinet out of sight, but the downside is that it fills up with garbage pretty quickly….
2 gallon
Home Zone
- Volume: 2 Gallon
- Dimensions: 12.48" L x 6.65" W x 15.83" H (Lid Open Height: 22.5")
- Removable inner bucket
- Lid stay-open mode (to change bag)
This model has a “stay-open” mode, which is quite convenient when it’s time to change the garbage bag. Not a huge deal, but it sets itself apart from other trash cans of the same dimensions.
2.6 gallon
SimpleHuman
- Volume: 2.6 Gallon
- Dimensions: 15.4" L x 6.6" W x 14" H (Lid Open Height: 25.6")
- Removable inner bucket
Nothing special to mention, except if this match with the dimensions you are looking for, it’s the best trash can ever!! 😉
2.6 gallon
SimpleHuman (Butterfly Lid)
- Volume: 2.6 Gallon
- Dimensions: 15.6" L x 7.7" W x 13.7" H (Lid Open Height: 16.9")
- "Butterfly lid" for low lid clearance
- Soft and silent lid close/open
We dig the butterfly lid on this trash can. In the RV and campervan world, it’s all about maximizing space and this is a step in the right direction! It’s a subtle detail that could make the difference between a fit/no-fit into a cabinet.
Conclusion
Shopping for a trash can is not rocket science, but finding a small and space efficient trash can is a step in the good direction for a happy vanlife or RV life! See you on the road!
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I would like to know where you got the bedspread
Where do you keep yours? I never see them in photos ♀️
In the cabinet under the sink!
A simple, but incredibly helpful post!