Finding the perfect kitchen trash can often feels like searching for a needle in a haystack. You need something functional, affordable, odor-resistant, and attractive enough not to be an eyesore in your carefully designed kitchen. After extensive testing and real-world use, we’re diving deep into the Glad 13 Gallon Trash Can—a budget-friendly option that’s been making waves in the home organization space. This comprehensive review will help you determine if this plastic kitchen waste bin with Clorox odor protection, hands-free operation, and thoughtful design features deserves a place in your home.
First Impressions: Unboxing and Initial Setup
When the Glad 13 Gallon Trash Can arrives, you’ll immediately notice its lightweight construction—a refreshing change from the hefty stainless steel behemoths that dominate the premium trash can market. Weighing significantly less than comparable models, this bin can be easily moved with one hand or even nudged across the floor with your foot when you need to reposition it for cleaning.
The assembly process is virtually non-existent. Unlike complicated multi-compartment systems or sensor-operated models requiring battery installation and calibration, the Glad trash can is ready to use straight out of the box. Simply remove the packaging, place it in your desired location, insert a trash bag, and you’re done. This simplicity is part of its charm—sometimes the best solutions are the uncomplicated ones.
The matte black finish presents a clean, modern aesthetic that coordinates effortlessly with virtually any kitchen décor. Whether your style leans toward contemporary minimalism, traditional warmth, or eclectic bohemian, the neutral black color integrates seamlessly without drawing unnecessary attention. The narrow rectangular shape maximizes floor space efficiency, an increasingly important consideration in modern kitchens where every square inch counts.
Design and Build Quality: Plastic Done Right
Construction and Materials
The Glad 13 Gallon Trash Can utilizes high-quality plastic construction that balances durability with affordability. While it won’t provide the premium feel of brushed stainless steel, the plastic material offers several practical advantages that many users prefer.
The plastic body resists fingerprints, smudges, and water spots—perpetual challenges with stainless steel bins that require constant wiping to maintain their appearance. If you’ve ever owned a stainless steel trash can, you know the frustration of seeing every touch mark and having to clean it daily to keep it looking presentable. The Glad’s matte black plastic eliminates this maintenance headache entirely.
Additionally, plastic construction means lighter weight, making the entire bin easy to move for floor cleaning, repositioning, or taking outdoors for thorough washing. This mobility shouldn’t be underestimated—when you need to mop behind the trash can or deep clean the unit itself, you’ll appreciate not wrestling with a 15-pound steel container.
Dimensions and Space Efficiency
Measuring 18 inches wide, 14.7 inches deep, and 25 inches tall, the Glad trash can strikes an ideal balance between capacity and footprint. The 13-gallon (50-liter) capacity accommodates 2-4 days of waste for an average family, reducing the frequency of trips to outdoor bins while preventing the trash from sitting so long that odors become problematic.
The narrow rectangular profile is particularly well-suited for:
- Tight spaces between cabinets and appliances
- Galley kitchens with limited floor space
- Placement at the end of kitchen islands
- Office environments with space constraints
- Dorm rooms and small apartments
- Bathroom applications
Unlike wider square or circular bins, the rectangular shape tucks neatly against walls or into corners, maximizing usable floor space for foot traffic and kitchen activities.
The Standout Feature: Clorox Odor Protection Technology
Perhaps the most impressive innovation in the Glad 13 Gallon Trash Can is the integration of Clorox Odor Protection built directly into the lid. This isn’t just marketing hype—it represents a genuine functional advantage over standard trash cans.
How It Works
The lid incorporates Clorox’s proprietary odor-inhibiting technology that actively works to neutralize unpleasant smells rather than simply masking them with fragrances. This is particularly valuable in kitchen environments where food waste, coffee grounds, vegetable trimmings, and other organic materials can create offensive odors within hours.
Real-World Performance
In practical testing with typical kitchen waste—including food scraps, packaging materials, and the occasional forgotten leftover—the odor control proves remarkably effective. Even after two days of accumulation, opening the lid doesn’t assault you with the unpleasant smells common with standard trash cans.
Multiple users have reported that this trash can succeeded in eliminating persistent odor problems that plagued their previous bins. One reviewer noted that despite thorough cleaning, their old trash can retained a lingering smell that permeated the kitchen. After switching to the Glad model with Clorox odor protection, the problem disappeared entirely.
This feature alone justifies the purchase for households dealing with odor sensitivity, homes without garbage disposals where food scraps accumulate in trash, or situations where trash cannot be emptied daily.
Hands-Free Operation: The Foot Pedal Mechanism
The step-on foot pedal represents another thoughtful design element that elevates this budget-friendly trash can above basic models.
Functionality and Convenience
Located at the base of the unit, the foot pedal requires minimal pressure to activate, opening the lid smoothly and quietly. This hands-free operation proves invaluable during:
- Food preparation when hands are messy from handling raw meat, vegetables, or sticky ingredients
- Cooking when you’re holding utensils, pots, or ingredients
- Cleanup when carrying dishes or garbage that would make manually opening the lid awkward
- General use to prevent transferring germs and bacteria from hands to the lid
The mechanism feels solid and responsive without being overly stiff or requiring excessive force. Children can operate it easily, and elderly users or those with mobility limitations appreciate not needing to bend down or use hands to access the bin.
The Stay-Open Feature
An often-overlooked but highly practical aspect is the lid’s ability to remain open when needed. Press the foot pedal fully, and the lid locks in the open position—perfect for:
- Cleaning up after meals when you’re making multiple disposal trips
- Sorting through mail or paperwork over the trash
- Extended cooking sessions with continuous waste generation
- Replacing trash bags without the lid constantly closing
Simply press the pedal again to release, and the lid closes smoothly.
Soft-Close Technology
Unlike cheaper trash cans where lids slam shut with a jarring bang, the Glad model incorporates soft-close technology that controls the descent, allowing the lid to settle gently and quietly into place. This eliminates the startling noise of lid slamming, prevents wear on the hinge mechanism, and creates a more refined user experience.
The soft-close works consistently even after months of use, maintaining its smooth operation without developing the sticky or loose feel that plague inferior mechanisms.
Integrated Bag Rings: A Simple Solution to a Common Problem
One of the most frustrating aspects of using standard trash cans is dealing with bags that slip down inside the container, creating a messy situation when you try to remove a full bag. The Glad trash can solves this elegance with integrated bag rings—a feature that seems simple but makes a meaningful difference in daily use.
How They Work
The bag rings are molded directly into the rim of the trash can, creating channels where you can tuck the edges of your trash bag. Standard 13-gallon trash bags fit perfectly, and once secured in these rings, the bag stays firmly in place regardless of how full it gets or how much you compact the contents.
Benefits You’ll Actually Notice
Neat Appearance: With the bag edges hidden within the rings, you see only the clean lines of the trash can exterior rather than unsightly plastic bag overhang. This creates a tidier, more polished appearance—particularly important in open-concept kitchens where the trash can remains visible.
Functional Security: Bags simply don’t slip. Even when overfilled (though we don’t recommend this), the bag maintains its position, preventing the common scenario where you reach in to grab something only to find the bag has fallen to the bottom of the container.
Easier Bag Changes: When it’s time to replace the bag, the rings make removal straightforward—just lift the bag out and pull the new one into position. No more fishing around inside the can to retrieve a bag that’s slipped down.
Works with Standard Bags: You don’t need proprietary or custom-fit bags. Any standard 13-gallon trash bag—drawstring, flap-tie, or basic—works perfectly with the ring system.
Removable Lid Design: Simplified Maintenance
The lid lifts off completely, a design choice that significantly simplifies both bag changes and cleaning. Rather than struggling to position bags around permanently attached lids or attempting to clean around hinges and mechanisms, you can completely separate the lid from the body.
This removable design makes deep cleaning straightforward—take the entire unit outdoors, remove the lid, and wash both components thoroughly with soap and water or spray them down with a hose. The plastic construction withstands vigorous cleaning without rusting or corroding, and the material dries quickly for immediate return to service.
For routine bag changes, the removable lid means you’re not wrestling with the lid mechanism while trying to secure a new bag, reducing frustration during this already somewhat unpleasant task.
Versatility: Beyond the Kitchen
While marketed primarily as a kitchen trash can, the Glad 13 Gallon model’s versatility extends to numerous applications throughout your home and workplace.
Alternative Uses
Home Office: Place beside your desk for paper waste, packaging from deliveries, and general office refuse. The professional appearance suits office environments, and the foot pedal operation keeps your hands clean while working.
Bathroom: The slim profile fits beside vanities or between fixtures in bathrooms, providing adequate capacity without overwhelming the space. The odor protection is particularly valuable in bathroom applications.
Bedroom: Teenage rooms, guest bedrooms, or master suites benefit from the increased capacity compared to tiny bedroom wastebaskets. The step-on operation and soft-close lid maintain a quieter environment.
Dorm Room: College students appreciate the generous capacity that reduces trips to communal disposal areas, plus the neutral aesthetics that blend with any décor.
Garage or Workshop: Use for disposal of packaging materials, shop refuse, or general household cleanup projects. The plastic construction isn’t precious, so you won’t worry about scratches or damage in utilitarian environments.
Commercial Applications: Small offices, break rooms, reception areas, and similar professional spaces find this trash can appropriately sized and styled without appearing cheap or residential.
Real User Experiences: What Customers Are Saying
The Glad 13 Gallon Trash Can consistently earns positive reviews from actual users, with several themes emerging from customer feedback:
Problem-Solving Success Stories
Multiple reviewers report purchasing this trash can specifically to solve persistent odor problems with their previous bins. Even after thorough cleaning, old trash cans can develop smells that permeate kitchens. The Clorox odor protection technology successfully eliminated these issues for numerous users who had struggled with this problem for months or even years.
Pet-Proof Performance
Cat owners particularly appreciate the secure lid that prevents curious felines from accessing trash. One detailed review described how new kittens loved pulling trash out and scattering it throughout the house—a messy, frustrating situation. After installing the Glad trash can with its secure lid closure, the kittens’ attempts to open it proved futile. The lid closes tightly enough that pets cannot pry it open, yet the foot pedal makes human access effortless.
Simplicity as a Selling Point
In an era of increasingly complex products with electronic sensors, smartphone apps, and unnecessary features, many users express appreciation for the Glad trash can’s straightforward design. Reviews repeatedly mention relief at finding “no frills” functionality without digital or electronic components that can malfunction or require battery replacements.
One comprehensive review compared this model favorably to a “fancier” previous trash can that, once one component broke, became essentially useless. The reviewer emphasized that simplicity has inherent value—when there are fewer components and mechanisms, there are fewer points of potential failure. The Glad trash can’s uncomplicated design means it simply works, day after day, without fussy maintenance or complicated repairs.
Value Proposition
The affordability of the Glad trash can resonates strongly with budget-conscious consumers. Users note that when the trash can eventually needs replacement—an inevitability with any waste bin—they won’t feel the financial sting because the initial investment was modest. This “no tears at replacement” philosophy appeals to practical shoppers who recognize that trash cans, regardless of price, eventually wear out.
The combination of low cost and strong performance creates exceptional value, leading many reviewers to recommend this model enthusiastically to friends and family.
Comparing to Premium Alternatives
To properly evaluate the Glad 13 Gallon Trash Can, it’s helpful to compare it to more expensive alternatives dominating the market.
Premium Stainless Steel Options ($150-300)
High-end trash cans from brands like simplehuman offer beautiful stainless steel construction, voice-activated sensors, and sophisticated mechanisms. However, they come with:
- 5-10x higher price points
- Heavier weight making movement difficult
- Fingerprint-prone surfaces requiring constant cleaning
- Electronic components that can fail and are expensive to replace
- Proprietary bag requirements in some models
The Glad model sacrifices the premium aesthetic and advanced features but delivers core functionality at a fraction of the cost while actually exceeding expensive models in some practical aspects like fingerprint resistance and ease of movement.
Mid-Range Alternatives ($50-100)
Middle-tier options typically offer stainless steel construction without advanced features or combine basic materials with moderate improvements over budget models. The Glad trash can competes favorably in this range, often matching or exceeding the functionality of models costing twice as much, particularly when factoring in the Clorox odor protection technology not commonly found at any price point.
Budget Options (Under $30)
Truly cheap trash cans sacrifice essential features like secure lids, smooth mechanisms, and any odor control. The Glad model, typically priced in the $30-50 range, represents the sweet spot where modest investment yields genuinely good performance rather than barely-functional utility.
Potential Drawbacks and Considerations
While the Glad 13 Gallon Trash Can excels in many areas, honest evaluation requires acknowledging potential limitations:
Plastic Construction Limitations
The plastic body, while practical, lacks the premium appearance and substantial feel of metal alternatives. If aesthetic appearance ranks as your top priority and budget allows, stainless steel options may better suit your preferences.
Additionally, plastic can potentially absorb odors over extended periods, though the Clorox odor protection technology significantly mitigates this concern. With regular cleaning, odor absorption shouldn’t present problems for most users.
Not Touchless
Unlike sensor-operated models, the Glad trash can requires foot pedal operation. While this hands-free approach works well for most users, it’s not technically touchless—you must touch the pedal with your foot. For those seeking absolute touchless operation (common in medical environments or for individuals with specific mobility limitations), sensor models remain the better choice despite their higher cost and maintenance requirements.
Standard Features Only
This trash can doesn’t include dual compartments for recycling separation, built-in bag storage, or other advanced features found on premium models. If you specifically need these capabilities, you’ll need to look at higher-priced alternatives or supplementary solutions.
Warranty Considerations
The two-year warranty provides reasonable protection, but it excludes products purchased from unauthorized third-party sellers on platforms like eBay or Amazon Marketplace. Ensure you purchase from authorized retailers (typically major chain stores or Amazon directly, not marketplace sellers) to receive warranty coverage.
Maintenance and Longevity
Proper care extends the life of any trash can, and the Glad model’s simple design makes maintenance straightforward:
Routine Cleaning
Wipe the exterior weekly with a damp cloth and mild cleaner to maintain appearance. The matte black finish hides minor marks well but benefits from regular attention.
Clean the interior monthly by removing the lid, taking the can outdoors, and washing thoroughly with soap and water. The plastic construction tolerates vigorous scrubbing and rinses clean easily.
Mechanism Maintenance
The foot pedal mechanism requires no special maintenance but benefits from occasional cleaning around the pedal area where dirt and debris can accumulate. Wipe around the base and pedal with a damp cloth to maintain smooth operation.
The soft-close hinge may eventually slow over time with very heavy use, but this represents normal wear rather than defect. Most users report years of consistent performance without mechanism degradation.
Expected Lifespan
With reasonable care, expect 3-5 years of service from the Glad trash can—impressive longevity for a budget-friendly option. Many users report longer lifespans, particularly in lower-traffic applications like home offices or bedrooms.
Environmental Considerations
While single-use plastic bags remain environmentally problematic, the trash can itself presents some eco-friendly attributes:
The durable construction means years of use rather than frequent replacement, reducing consumption. Plastic doesn’t require the energy-intensive mining and processing associated with metal production. At end of life, the uniform plastic construction facilitates recycling in communities with plastic recycling programs.
Pair this trash can with compostable bags for food waste or recycled-content trash bags to minimize environmental impact while enjoying the functional benefits of a well-designed waste container.
Who Should Buy the Glad 13 Gallon Trash Can?
This trash can represents an excellent choice for:
Budget-Conscious Shoppers: Exceptional value with performance rivaling models costing 2-3x more
Practical Users: Those prioritizing functionality over premium aesthetics
Pet Owners: The secure lid prevents cats and small dogs from accessing trash
Apartment Dwellers: Slim design maximizes space in compact kitchens
College Students: Adequate capacity, easy to move, and affordable replacement when needed
First-Time Homeowners: Balances quality and cost for those furnishing homes on limited budgets
Commercial Applications: Offices and break rooms needing affordable, professional-looking bins
Anyone with Odor Concerns: The Clorox technology genuinely addresses persistent smell problems
Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?
The Glad 13 Gallon Trash Can delivers impressive performance at a budget-friendly price point, making it an easy recommendation for most households. While it won’t satisfy those seeking premium stainless steel aesthetics or advanced features like sensor operation, it excels at its intended purpose: providing reliable, convenient, odor-controlled waste disposal without unnecessary complexity or expense.
The combination of Clorox odor protection, smooth foot pedal operation, integrated bag rings, and thoughtful design creates a user experience that rivals products costing significantly more. Real-world user feedback consistently praises its practical functionality and problem-solving capabilities, particularly for odor management and pet-proofing.
For Smart Kitchen Talk readers seeking waste management solutions that work seamlessly in daily life without draining budgets, the Glad 13 Gallon Trash Can represents one of the best values in its category. It’s a product that simply works—day after day, week after week—without demanding attention or creating frustration. Sometimes, that reliability proves far more valuable than flashy features or premium materials.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Pros:
- Excellent odor control with Clorox technology
- Smooth, reliable foot pedal operation
- Integrated bag rings keep bags secure and hidden
- Lightweight and easy to move
- Soft-close lid prevents slamming
- Fingerprint-resistant matte finish
- Slim, space-efficient design
- Outstanding value for the price
- Simple, failure-resistant construction
Cons:
- Plastic construction lacks premium feel
- No advanced features like sensors or dual compartments
- Warranty excludes third-party marketplace purchases
- Not truly touchless (requires foot contact)
For most households, the pros significantly outweigh the cons, making this trash can a smart purchase that will serve you well for years to come. At this price point, it’s difficult to find a more capable, well-designed kitchen waste solution.
Where to Buy: Available at major retailers and online. Ensure you purchase from authorized sellers to receive the full two-year warranty protection.
Price Range: Typically $30-50 depending on retailer and promotions
Best For: Budget-conscious households, pet owners, small spaces, anyone dealing with trash odor issues
Last Updated: February 2026