That's an excellent and practical question! For a small coffee shop, getting the right size outdoor trash bin is crucial for cleanliness, customer experience, and operational efficiency. There's no one-size-fits-all answer, but a good starting point is a bin between 20 to 32 gallons.
Here’s a natural breakdown to help you decide:
Think about your daily foot traffic. A very small shop with mostly takeaway cups might manage with a sturdy 20-gallon bin. However, if you have a patio or seating area where customers dispose of their own cups, pastries, and napkins, a 32-gallon bin is often the sweet spot. It holds enough to avoid constant overflow without being too bulky.
Consider your waste collection schedule. If pickup is daily, a smaller bin might suffice. With less frequent pickup, a larger capacity (32 gallons or even a 44-gallon wheeled cart) prevents messy overflows.
Also, separate bins for recycling? If you offer outdoor recycling, you might need two 20-gallon bins side-by-side—one for trash, one for recyclables like cups and bottles.
In short, assess your daily volume, patio size, and pickup frequency. A 32-gallon bin is a safe, common choice for many small cafes. It’s large enough to handle peak rushes but still easy for staff to handle. Start there and adjust as you see how quickly it fills up!