Waste and recycling around the home
Join the beautiful bin movement
At IKEA, we're always looking for ways to make the best of waste. From stylish countertop waste buckets and wall-mounted repositories to full-on sorting stations stacked proudly in the hallway, take a look at some of our beautiful bins and wonders of waste sorting!
According to the European Environment Agency, the average European citizen produces about 5 tonnes of waste annually, and recycles about 40.8% of it. From our Life at Home Report insights, we know that recycling is on the rise, and at IKEA, our goal is to make waste sorting even more popular by making it easier and, well, less rubbish.
As more people move into densely populated cities, small-space living, with no or little outdoor space is on the rise. Recycling laws are becoming stricter, inspiring indoor waste and sorting solutions that are much more than a bin in the corner of the kitchen – they’ve become an integral part of the home. Let's take at some of the ways we are making bins a part of the furniture.
Planet organic
Food waste accounts for a large part of our household waste. The good news is that it is organic, so disposing of it properly can not only reduce landfill and greenhouse emissions, but also give you a lovely nutrient-rich compost for your plants.
FARMARKVAST is a handy little organic waste collector that sits on the worktop and blends in with the kitchen. The lid hangs on the side during prepping and cooking, then simply pops on after to trap unpleasant odours. Like many bins in the IKEA range, FARMARKVAST not only helps with recycling, but also contains recycled materials.
The FARMARKVAST bin for organic waste is the perfect cooking companion.
HÅLLBAR waste bins have a ventillated option, with holes at the bottom. The holes allow air to circulate and dry out organic waste to reduce odour.
You don't need a garden to make your own compost heap. A plastic container on the balcony with a lid and regular soil makes a great composter.
"With the FARMARKVAST bin, I want to make it easier to sort organic waste. It was important for the design to feel appealing so you can keep it on the kitchen worktop and within easy reach while cooking or cleaning up the kitchen."
Divide and conquer
Separating bottles and boxes, cans and plastic sounds like a big task, but with separate containers it’s easy to build your own recycling station. Choose larger bins for bulky or more popular items, like bottles and cardboard and smaller ones for things like metal. The SORTERA waste sorting bin offers plenty of space and has a foldable lid for easy access when stacked.
Short on space? What about a cupboard or a drawer? A small spot under the sink takes up very little space and allows you to sort as you throw, making recycling even easier. Food and paper packaging to the left, batteries and lightbulbs to the right! To keep smells at bay, choose containers with lids for food waste, and open ones for bulkier, less smelly stuff.
Bins with handles are practical for carrying when it's time to put out the waste.
Labelling each bin makes it easy for the whole family to recycle. HUSBONDE stickers feature 12 clear symbols depicting different types of waste.
The HÅLLBAR range of recycling solutions are small enough to fit inside a storage unit. The pull-out frame allows you to slide each bin out for easy access.
Small space heroes
Even the smallest corner can become an impressive recycling station, thanks to stackable and wall-hung bins. TRÖSKNING bins are narrow and fit neatly on top of each other, making them great for tight spaces. They also boast a handy little flip-top opening for popping things in, while DAMMÄNG bins have both a large and small flip-top opening for easy access.
Holidays and parties are fun, but cleaning up, less so. Packable storage bags are great for whipping out when the wrapping paper, bottles and cans start mounting up. Once the big clean-up is over, simply fold them up and store them away until you need them again, or why not put them to work somewhere else around the home for things like toys or laundry?
Discreet and space-saving, you'd never guess what's inside this GÅRDSBUTIK wall-hung bin.
KNALLA storage bags have a practical zip-top lid and handles, so the contents won't fall out if it tips over. Just zip and go when it's time for emptying. They also have a ticket pouch for easy labelling.
“When I designed the DAMMÄNG bin, I felt that this was a product that I really missed in my own home. I had carrier bags for recycling paper, but it looked horrible, so it was easy for me to see the need. It’s nice solving these kind of problems in people’s homes.”
More than a space for waste
Colours and finishes have become more important, as neutrals and muted tones replace standard black and grey, and curved edges and surfaces are about more than just nice design. “I remember sketching the DAMMÄNG collection, and I wanted to use a curved pattern because it brings a lot of personality, but it’s also good for the construction because it makes it more solid and strong,” explains IKEA designer Henrik Preutz. “And as for the round corners, when you live in a small space, if you have sharp corners, it’s easier to bump your leg, so the nice soft corners not only make it more beautiful, but also a bit safer.”
DAMMÄNG bins stack neatly on top of one another and come in different sizes and coordinated colours for easy sorting. They're also nice and narrow to save space.
The dark grey powder-coated finish of the KNODD bin blends in seamlessly with the dark mood of this dining room.
Desk duty
Now you may think that throwing away only occurs in the kitchen and bathroom, but rubbish often makes its way into other parts of the home, particularly around desk areas and in children's rooms. Adding a bin under the desk or in the corner of the room can avoid broken pens and waste paper from mounting on workspaces. And with so many styles to choose from, it's fun and easy to find something that's practical and fits in with your workspace aesthetic.
Made using minimum 20% recycled plastic, this FNISS bin is a low-cost waste warrior.
The sturdy mesh DRÖNJÖNS waste basket matches most home office styles.
The smallest room
Bathrooms can often be overlooked, but if there's any room that needs one, this is it. Cleansing wipes, packaging and sanitary products are tossed away daily, but as they take up less space than kitchen rubbish, a small bin is ideal – especially for a small household or ensuite bathroom. The downside is that bathroom bins are not usually emptied as often, which can cause unpleasant odours. Choose a bin with a lid and a leak-proof container to keep smells locked in, and a bin liner to keep the inside clean. A small foot-controlled pedal bin under the sink or one with a touch-top opening is perfect for when you’ve got wet hands.
The EKOLN waste bin holds up to three litres of waste and is small enough to nestle under the sink or beside the toilet. Its soft, quiet-closing pedal-operated lid means no loud slamming at bedtime.
When choosing a bathroom bin, be sure to check if it's suitable for damp and wet areas. Made from minimum 50% recycled plastic, the GÅRDSBUTIK bin is easy to clean and dry.
The BROGRUND touch-top bin has an easy to clean fingerprint-proof surface, and can be hung on the wall or stand on the floor.
Ready to recycle?
Looking for the perfect waste hero? At IKEA, we have plenty of practical throwing, sorting and recycling solutions to fit every space and budget.