Dual Compartment Trash Can Sizes and Capacity Guide | Fit, Measure, Buy Smart

The catch with dual-compartment cans is that standard 13-gallon tall kitchen bags almost never fit one side of a 16-gallon model — you’ll need specialty 8-gallon bags or a different total capacity. Measuring your space before buying saves the headache of a return. This guide walks through the real sizes, the bag mismatch trap, and how to match a can to your household and kitchen dimensions.

What Total Capacities Are Available?

Dual-compartment cans range from compact 8-gallon total models to large 21-gallon units. The most common and popular size is 16 gallons total (two 8-gallon bins), which balances daily kitchen waste with a manageable footprint. Smaller options like the Kohler K-20956 hold 11 gallons total (two 5.5-gallon bins) and work well for tight galley kitchens or households of one to two people. Larger setups, usually under-counter pull-outs, can reach 21 gallons total (two 10.5-gallon bins) and suit families of four or more who generate significant recyclable waste alongside trash.

Capacity directly affects how often you empty the can. A 16-gallon total model will need emptying roughly every two to three days for a family of three to four, while an 11-gallon model requires daily or every-other-day emptying for the same household size.

The Bag Compatibility Trap

Nearly every dual-compartment buyer hits this problem: standard 13-gallon tall kitchen bags are designed for single-bin cans and are too wide for an 8-gallon compartment. A 13-gallon bag’s dimensions (roughly 21×26 inches) mean it will overflow the interior bucket and leave slack that bunches, causing leaks and slips. To fit a typical 8-gallon side, you need 8-gallon specialty bags, which are narrower and shorter. Some users cut 13-gallon bags down the side and re-tie the bottom, but this is unreliable and can tear under weight.

Most premium dual-can manufacturers sell their own fitted liners. For example, iTouchless markets 8-gallon bags specifically for its 16-gallon models. Always check the manufacturer’s recommended bag size before buying — including that cost in your ongoing budget.

Measuring Your Kitchen Space

Dual-compartment cans are significantly wider than single bins because they hold two separate containers side by side. Most models require 16 to 20 inches of clear floor width. Before you shop, measure three dimensions exactly: width (the floor space between cabinets or walls), depth (from the wall to the front edge of the counter or cabinet door), and height clearance from the floor to the lowest overhead obstruction (counter underside, cabinet bottom, or shelf). Add 1 to 2 inches to each measurement for air circulation and lid clearance.

For under-counter installations — like the Simplehuman 35L Dual Compartment Under Counter Pull-Out — depth becomes the constraint. Standard kitchen cabinets are 24 inches deep, but plumbing, water lines, or electrical outlets typically reduce usable depth to 14–16 inches. Open the cabinet and measure from the front edge of the cabinet box back to the rear obstacle; that is your real depth limit.

Choosing Capacity by Household Size

The right total capacity depends on how many people generate waste and how often you want to take out the trash. For one to two people, a 10–13 gallon total can (two 5–6.5 gallon sides) handles kitchen waste and recyclables with emptying every two to three days. For three to four people, 13–16 gallons total (two 6.5–8 gallon sides) is the sweet spot — the 16-gallon iTouchless style is the most common choice in this range. Households of four or more typically need 18–23 gallons total (two 9–11.5 gallon sides) to avoid overflowing before trash day. If you compost food scraps, you can often drop one capacity tier down because less organic waste enters the trash bin.

One final detail: never assume total capacity equals per-side capacity. A “16 gallon dual trash can” means two 8-gallon bins, not one 16-gallon bin with a divider. Mistaking this is the most common reason people buy a can too small for their actual waste volume.

FAQs

Do standard trash bags fit dual compartment cans?

Standard 13-gallon tall kitchen bags do not fit an 8-gallon dual compartment bin — they are too wide and will bunch or slip. You need specialty 8-gallon bags designed for the model you buy, or a different total capacity that matches standard bag sizes if that is a priority.

How much floor space does a dual compartment trash can need?

Most dual bins require 16–20 inches of clear floor width and 14–18 inches of depth. Always measure your actual available space and add 1–2 inches for clearance. Sensor-lid models need vertical clearance up to 33.8 inches when the lids open.

What size dual trash can is best for a family of four?

A family of four typically needs 16–18 gallons total capacity (two 8–9 gallon bins). This handles kitchen waste and recyclables for two to three days between empties. If your household generates heavy recyclable volume, consider an 18–21 gallon total model with a larger recycling side.