This article lists the best outdoor trash cans for your home.
Here the best outdoor trash cans for curbside;
| Product name | Available sizes | Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Toter heavy-duty trash can | 32, 48, 64 and 96-gallon | Two big wheels, lockable lid, best tilt to weight ratio, compatible with automatic and semi-automatic curbside collection, made from recycled materials and 100% recyclable. |
| 2. Rubbermaid Brute | 32 gallons | Nearly indestructible, optional air-tight lid, an excellent option for storing items. |
| 3. Rubbermaid Brute Specialty Rollout | 50 gallons | Two big wheels, two castor wheels, foot pedal, compliant with auto-lifters, air-tight, lockable lid. |
| 4. Carlisle Bronco | 10, 20, 32, 44, and 55 gallons | Food safe, optional air-tight lids, durable construction |
| 5. Behrens steel trash can | 10 gallons | Made of galvanized steel, small size, suitable for disposing of pet poop, and also for storing pet food. It comes with an air-tight lid. |
1. Toter heavy-duty trash can with locking lids and wheels
‘Toter’ manufactures one of the toughest and most durable trash cans for outdoors.
The two biggest concerns when buying a trash can are mobility and pet resistance. The Toter trash can address these problems very well. It comes with two big wheels, and the best tilt to roll ratio, so it is very easy to maneuver even when it’s fully loaded. It also has a lockable lid, which prevents any animals from getting into the trash.
In addition, this garbage can is pretty stable even when fully filled, so your pets are going to find it very difficult to tip it over.
Toter uses a patented molding technology called ‘Advanced Rotational Molding’. According to them, this is a ‘stress-free’ manufacturing process which makes the material flexible and durable against shocks. This prevents any possible damages to the trash can during automatic trash collections. It also makes the trash can capable of withstanding harsh outdoor conditions for years.
Another notable feature is its outside texture. It has a Blackstone finish, which not only stands out, but also masks any scratches or minor damage. Moreover, any areas that are more likely to be worn by daily use are reinforced.
It is available in 32, 48, 64, and 96-gallon sizes. Even with such large capacity, its profile is narrow enough to pass through doors and gates.
It is compatible with automatic and semi-automatic curbside collection.
This garbage can is 100% recyclable. In fact, 50% of it is made from recycled materials.
Obviously, this garbage can is also used for various purposes other than garbage collection. It is a good choice for storing and transporting industrial items or pet foods.
In conclusion;
The Toter trash can is best at everything whether it is mobility, durability, size, animal resistance or looks. I couldn’t find any con that matters.
2. Rubbermaid Brute
Rubbermaid is very popular for its trash cans. They have different models both for indoors and outdoors.
Brute is a commercial grade trash can made by Rubbermaid for outdoor and industrial uses. It is comparatively inexpensive, but let me start with a con first. Brute doesn’t have wheels, so I had to drag mine to the curb.
But other than missing the wheels it has everything desirable for a garbage can. I have two of these. I use one for storing water, and the other to keep my dog’s food in. I had another, but it got stolen so I bought a Toter one instead.
The build of the Rubbermaid Brute is pretty good. It is thick and nearly indestructible. It can also withstand long and harsh climates without warping or breaking. It has molded, non-slip handles on the side to make dragging or lifting it easier.
You can also get an optional snap-on, air-tight lid. But the lid is not attached to the trash can, so it is possible to lose it sometimes.
I think Brute is more used as a storage container than as a trash can, as it is an excellent choice for industrial and household storage.
3. Rubbermaid Brute Specialty Rollout
Brute and Brute Specialty Rollout are very similar in their name, but they look entirely different. Obviously, they have a lot of similarities but I bet you are interested in their differences.
The main difference of Brute Rollout is that it has wheels. In fact, Rollout is the collective name of models with wheels. These models differ in various aspects, and the Brute Specialty Rollout is one such model.
Brute Specialty Rollout has four wheels, with two of them being castors. And, it has a foot pedal that opens the lid. These are two things you don’t see on most outdoor garbage cans.
It is built with commercial-grade, UV resistant materials. It can also withstand sub-zero temperatures for years. The step-on feature makes it easy to put trash or other materials into the container. The 4 wheels give it more control, though running the castor wheels on your pavement is not going to be easy. I think they are mostly meant for industrial uses, such as transporting materials from one place to another.
The foot pedal works fine, and the castor wheels can be locked. The lid can be opened fully (at a 270-degree angle) but only manually. It is also compliant with auto-lifters.
One notable feature is that the lid when fully opened stays in position. It doesn’t swing during transportation. I bet this is a feature many people are interested in.
Overall the Specialty Rollout is a good choice, especially if you are looking for a trash can with a foot pedal.
Also, feel free to check for other variants of Rollout here.
4. Carlisle Bronco Waste Container
Bronco is almost like the Rubbermaid Brute, as they have almost the same design and build quality.
It is available in a number of sizes including 10, 20, 32, 44, and 55 gallons. It doesn’t come with a lid, but you can purchase one separately.
And one good thing about the lid is it has a hole through which you can put a zip tie and secure it with the handle. The lid is air-tight so you can use it as a container for storing food (The container is NSF certified, so it is food safe).
In terms of build quality, it is strongly built, flexible and can withstand rough use over the years in outdoor weather.
This one is a good alternative to the Rubbermaid Brute.
5. Behrens galvanized steel trash can
If you are looking for a metal trash can for outdoors this Behrens galvanized steel can is a good choice.
You guessed correctly; it is made of galvanized steel.
It is a 10-gallon trash can and definitely not suitable for curbsides. Most of its uses include disposing of pet poop or storing pet foods and other dried goods.
The galvanized steel construction can pretty much last long in any weather, but not forever. It is good to last for around 10 years if kept in wet conditions, but if the galvanized coating is damaged it will rust pretty fast.
Questions to ask yourself when buying an outdoor trash can
Finding a trash can is not rocket science. However, you have to have a basic understanding of what you need to buy. Here are some things to keep in mind while looking for an outdoor trash can;
What do you need the trash can for?
Outdoor trash cans are used for purposes other than storing trash. It can be used to store pet food, firewood, and many other things. Also, many people use outdoor trash cans in commercial locations. You might need bigger and stronger trash cans for parks, restaurants, and cafes whereas, a small one would work just fine for domestic use. Therefore, choose according to your needs.
Where do you plan to keep it?
Outdoors is a vague term but as you know, you have to place the trash can somewhere specific. It’s important to take into consideration where you are going to keep the trash can. Many people just leave them outside while some are kept inside sheds or enclosures. If the size of your trash can is not fit for where you intend to keep it, then you might have to go through a pickle.
With or without wheels?
There are multiple varieties of trash cans available in the market. Some have wheels on them and some don’t. Those with wheels are easy to move from one place to another. Whereas the ones without wheels can be a bit inconvenient when it comes to mobility. So, it is better if you decide beforehand which one works better for you. If mobility is an issue then, you can make the choice accordingly.
That being said most people prefer outdoor trash cans that come with wheels. This makes it easier to put them in the driveway when the trash man comes.
How good should be the build quality?
An outdoor trash can is not immune to weather conditions. Plus, if your locality has a lot of pets or other animals, then, it is open to more challenges. Thus, the quality and texture of the material can matter a lot. Always look for a trash can that can endure long and harsh climate conditions, weather switches, and animal attacks. Some companies even use UV resistant material to withstand constant exposure to heat. If your location is frequented by bears at night, it is highly recommended you use a bear-proof trash can. Therefore, choose the one that can outlive harsh conditions without breaking or cracks.
How big do you need it to be?
Outdoor trash cans are available from 20 to 96-gallon capacities. Buying the biggest option is not always a good idea. If you have a small household, a large trash can will take time to get filled up. This will cause the garbage to rot producing bacteria and smell. So while choosing an outdoor trash can, make sure to choose one with the right size for your needs.
Looks, Design and Colour
You may think who cares about an outdoor trash can’s looks! Well, everyone does. If a hideous-looking trash can is placed right in front of your porch, people are going to notice it first. You would not want it to steal your house’s thunder, would you? So choose a trash can that compliments your house and its style. There are varieties in color as well. So you can pick your favorite color that goes well with the exterior of your place.
The design of a trash can is another important factor to look for before buying one. Efficiency and storage capacity is largely based on design. That’s why it is advised that you examine the design carefully before buying an outdoor trash can.
Lid or No Lid, What kind of lid?
A trash can is always preferred with a cover or lid rather than open because of obvious reasons. But some people choose to go with lidless trash cans because those are pretty convenient when it comes to putting large amounts of trash away.
As mentioned earlier, the purpose of trash cans is not singular. Some people use it to store other stuff. But most people prefer outdoor trash cans with airtight lids.
Waterproof/ Fireproof
Sometimes highly flammable things get put in the trash cans. If the trash can is not fireproof it can catch fire. To save yourself from this life hazard, make sure you are buying a safe product for yourself. Buy a fireproof outdoor trash can when you can.
Also, an outdoor trash can has to be waterproof otherwise it would not last for long in rain or wet trash. Making sure that what you are buying is fireproof and waterproof is an easy task but a significant one. You could also make sure that it is graffiti-proof so that it remains clear and unharmed by paints.
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