Rule No. 5 of the Remodelista Manifesto: “Ordinary utilitarian items, such as wastebaskets and scrub brushes, can?and should?be as pleasingly elegant as center-of-attention pieces.” Case in point: classic pedal bins from a small workshop in northwest Germany. Manufactum offers a trio of models, but if you’re truly obsessed, consider contacting Erpa Metall directly to access their line of jewel-toned trash bins.

Above: Erpa Metall trash bins, which have been made for 80 years in the Erpa workshop in northwest Germany, feature powder-coated enamel exteriors and high-gloss stainless steel lids (and appealing retro stamped logos). The 20-Liter Metal Pedal Bin (far left) is ?188 ($212) and the 15-Liter Metal Pedal Bin (center) is ?158 ($177) from Manufactum.
Above: The Five-Liter Metal Bathroom Waste Bin is ?85 ($95) from Manufactum.

Above: The interior metal waste bin can be removed for easy trash disposal (L). Detail of the re-close sprung pedal mechanism (R).
For more Garbage Cans, go to:

Trash Bins from a Cleanliness-Obsessed Country
The Mercedes of Trash Cans
10 Easy Pieces: Recycling Bins
The Perfect Office Wastebasket
The Last Trash Can You’ll Ever Buy"

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on January 14, 2015.

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