For most small office break rooms, the best trash can size from a trash can factory is a 10-gallon model. This size—roughly 38 liters—hits the sweet spot between capacity and footprint. It holds enough coffee cups, food wrappers, napkins, and snack packaging for a team of about five to ten people without dominating the floor space. Choose a commercial-grade bin with a foot pedal, a tight-fitting lid, and a removable inner bucket. These features keep hands clean and help contain odors, which matters in a shared break room.

If your break room serves closer to 12–15 people, or if employees often eat lunch there, step up to a 13-gallon trash can. A 13-gallon bin—about 50 liters—reduces the number of times someone has to empty it during the day. It is still compact enough for a corner, beside a counter, or under a kitchenette. For a trash can factory order, ask for a durable polypropylene or powder-coated steel body, a reinforced pedal, and a lid that opens wide enough for plates and takeout containers.

A 7–8 gallon bin can work in a very small break room with only light use, such as coffee and tea, but it fills quickly when lunches are brought in. If the bin is emptied every day and space is extremely tight, a 7-gallon model may be acceptable. If it is emptied less often, it will likely overflow and create odor problems.

The right choice also depends on layout and service. Measure the intended spot before ordering. Leave at least a few inches of clearance for the lid and pedal. A rectangular 10-gallon can often fits better against a wall than a round 13-gallon can. If your office has a high volume of food waste, choose a 13-gallon bin with a liner that fits snugly and a lid that seals well. For lighter use, a 10-gallon stainless steel or plastic bin is easier to move and clean.

As a trash can factory, we recommend ordering sample units in both 10-gallon and 13-gallon sizes. Test them with your actual break room waste for one week. Check how often they need emptying, whether odors escape, and whether staff can use the pedal comfortably. In most small office break rooms, the final answer is simple: choose a 10-gallon trash can for daily light-to-medium use, or a 13-gallon trash can if lunch and coffee traffic are heavy. Both sizes can be customized with logos, colors, liners, and lid options to match your office.