Open Thread: Easy Home Dual-Compartment Separator Bin
This post is an open thread and contains affiliate links.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Aldi sold this bin again in March of 2022 for the same price of $79.99.
In our house, there are three categories of trash.
One is recyclable materials. This includes aluminum cans, paper products, and glass bottles. Our area has recycling pickup, so we typically deposit these materials straight into a large wheeled recycling bin that we keep in our garage.
A second is compostable materials. These include primarily produce scraps, along with some used paper products and things such as used tea bags. We keep a small compost storage container in our kitchen, and when it fills up we dump it into our compost bin in the backyard.
The third category of waste in our house is everything else, which most people would call “trash.” This includes things like cereal bags or other plastic food bags, most cooking and table scraps, and other refuse that just doesn’t have any other function once it’s used up.
Not all homes have those three categories. Some have two, like trash and recycling or trash and composting. Some people just put everything in trash, maybe because recycling service isn’t readily available. And some people might even sort their trash into separate bins, like if they want to keep organic trash (which can rot and smell faster) separate from say, product packaging.
Regardless of how you sort trash, it’s helpful to have a system. One option that exists is a trash separator, which allows you to simply sort your trash into two (or more) categories depending on your needs and the separator’s configuration. Recently, Aldi sold just such a separator.
What We Know:
The Easy Home Dual-Compartment Separator Bin (Product Code: 803555) is an Aldi Find, which means you can only find it in stores for a limited time. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. That means Aldi won’t be able to ship it to you, and you won’t be able to find it in stores again anytime soon, if ever.
At the time of this post, the Aldi separator bin costs $79.99. Most separator bins out there cost between $100-$200, so this is actually a pretty good price, all things being equal.
According to Aldi, the bin measures 17.6″ x 13.9″ x 28.3″ and includes the following features:
- Anti-slip base
- Soft-close function
- Dual compartment for easy recycling
- Two 7.9-gallon removable inner bins
What We Don’t Know:
This bin looks to be making its debut in 2021, so we don’t know much about it, including how easy it is to operate or to change out. For that reason, we’ve created this open thread to allow readers to chime in with their observations.
Do you have experience with this separator bin? Let us know in the comments.
Bought this to replace the 2 trashcans (recycle & trash) in the kitchen. I like the slim design.
However, what kind of trash bags are you suppose to use. I put our regular Aldi bag in it and it overhangs, so much that the lid won’t close.
You might try pulling part of the top edge of the bag into a line, then looping that line into a loop and then a knot. That can help shrink it a little. Alternatively, you can get smaller trash bags out there, although I’m not certain if Aldi sells those.
Each trash bin has a rectangle box at the top inside of each bin. Are there use for filters of some type that fit inside the rectangle boxes? I did not receive and instruction booklet because my unit was not boxed.
Freeman,
I have this very same question. I noticed it in the Aldi store as I was buying it so I looked near the other garbage bins to be sold and there was no other products near it that went with it. Mine also didn’t come with any sort of paperwork. If there is something out there to buy to use with this garbage can I’d like to try it.
Amy
Wondering about the same exact thing…
My bin was boxed and there wasn’t any instruction booklet or anything at all
The label on front says: “One odor filter compartment per lid. (* Odor filter not included)”
For those unhappy with the smaller size, my store still had the Hefty 13 gallon bins in stock. They aren’t as pretty, but they are larger, from a brand name company, and two of them are $40.
Try this. I haven’t bought it yet. Just found it. Trash Can Odor Absorbing Filter Refills, Activated Charcoal Deodorizer Compatible with EKO Step and Motion Sensor Trash Cans with Built-in Filter Compartment (12) https://a.co/d/dn1euy3
I recently purchased this bin December, 2021 and I just purchased 8 gallon trash bags. Once I put the bin back in the bag doesn’t fit snuggly, but I don’t have problem with the lid closing.
I will looking into the filter piece on Amazon to see if I find one that works this this bin.
Instead of filter you can put in a piece of fabric softener
Also working on getting bags to stay up in bin
Same questions as others, what bags fit this because even the 13 gallon bags are too short and where are the filters or fresheners?
I bought the container and love it. I use Kirkland 13 gallon drawstring tie scented bags ( I already had a huge box and they work) . I place the bag in the container and pull one of the drawstrings tight. I position the drawstring tie through the upper hole in the container and pull it tight. It’s not to secure it completely, but to anchor the bag. I then position the plastic container into the Stainless steel receptacle. Sometimes it takes adjusting to position it correctly – must fit snuggly below the rim. You will know when it’s correct – it’s not a snap but there is a sound and a secure feel. Visually, it is sitting below the rim and the lid closes completely. Yes, it’s a little more work than I would like – but I love the dual can. I bought two decals online one for trash and one for recycle and placed them on the lids. It looks amazing. I’d post a photo if I could.
I saw these once in 2021 and regretted not buying one then. I picked up one today and was pleasantly surprised that it has stainless lids (I thought they were black in the picture, which would have been fine too). I have no problem getting the 13 gallon Aldi bags to stay in it. Like another reviewer, I will be buying some decals to put on the top because guests always seem to put trash in the recycling with my old separate containers. This is so much nicer looking and a pretty good deal compared to what Amazon and other retailers sell.
I just purchased mine a couple of weeks ago and so far I really like it. The bins are big enough for a one to two person household. The lids raise smoothly and lower quietly. I use the simply human custom size h trash bags and they fit perfectly. The bags are expensive but I only use one each week. It looks much better than the two separate plastic bins previously used. The only slight issue is that I also need to jiggle the bin liners in place so that the tops close smoothly.
We got ours and use the simple human bags for that same size. It has been great until literally today, the foot pedal broke – the mechanism is fine – but the plastic pedal broke on the trash side – anyone know if this has a warrenty?
That’s why I landed here. This literally happened on the same side to my 11 year old, applying normal pressure. I just want to find out who manufactures the part. I could fix it myself then.
I also need a foot pedal. Can you order one ?
I bought mine last spring and love it but the blue recycle bin is cracking. Does anyone know where I can get a replacement bin?
I came here to ask this very question. I’m just starting my search so I’ll update if I find them.
My blue bin just broke. Looking for a replacement.
My foot pedal broke and there’s no way for me to access it for repair. $79.99 down the drain!
There is a number on ours to call for parts. We called it and it is Itouchless.com. You can find the trash can and parts there on the website.