Simplehuman: Reinventing the Garbage Can

When my husband and I received a simplehuman trash can (all written in lower-case) for a wedding present, we looked at its $130 price tag on-line and immediately considered taking it back and exchanging it for some of the china we didn't get. After talking to some proud simplehuman owners -- one who even admitted an addiction to watching its finger-print resistant butterfly lid open and close -- we reconsidered. When would we ever buy something as useful, yet extravagant, as this for ourselves? Seven months later, we are thankful for our decision to keep the simplehuman, and here's why:

Simplehuman's mission, according to its official web site, is to create "tools for efficient living." Their line of garbage cans, therefore, are easy to use, unobtrusive, and durable. Ours sits quietly in a corner, only noticed when we have to throw something away. Constructed with a stainless-steel body and a dent-proof plastic inner lining, the simplehuman trash can makes waste compact, meaning you will make the most out of each garbage bag you use. Each can comes with a pedal that is designed to last for more than 50,000 steps. The quiet-action lid closes tightly, so even the most potent of smells can't escape.

As the popularity of simplehuman grows, so does its product line. Trash cans are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and functions. Its large trash can (30 liter) comes in round, rectangular, semi-round, narrow, and corner shapes. Simplehuman's newest model, the rectangular sensor can, opens automatically when you your foot triggers its sensor zone. Simplehuman sells smaller cans (4.5 to 12 liter) in a variety of colors, a recycler can with dual buckets to separate recycling items, and in-cabinet cans. The cost of these cans range from $12.99 for a small plastic step can to $199 for the sensor can.

As much as we like our simplehuman, there are a few caveats. We did not spring for the simplehuman sure-fit liners -- we stick with the grocery store brands -- and adapting them our simplehuman takes some skill, even though the company claims that its product is compatible with all types. The inner lining has a hole in the back for grabbing and holding the bag, but it 's not easy to line the inner can in such a way that it won't catch on the outer can when we replace it. This means that trash can fall between the bag and the lining, which is not ideal. Also, we have to clean the stainless steel about once a week. Simplehuman sells products for this problem as well, but they are only available at specialty stores.

Simplehuman cans do come with a 10-year warranty, so if we exceed 50,000 pedal steps or somehow break our quiet-action lid, we can return our product for a new one. Simplehuman products are available on-line and at Bed Bath & Beyond, Williams-Sonoma, and other specialty stores.