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Garage Organization: Create Recycle Bin Hangers

Updated: Jul. 23, 2019

Organize your recycling bins

FH09SEP_BINHAN_01-2Family Handyman
Recycling bins can take up way too much floor space in the kitchen or mudroom. Here's an easy project that will get them up off the floor and out of the way, and it costs almost nothing.

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Recycling Bin Ideas: Find the studs, then attach the bin holders

Photo 1: Mark the cleat locations

Assemble the top cleats and use a bin to mark their positions. Draw a line to mark the top of the cleat. Keep the pencil flush with the cleat to add an extra 1/4 in. or so to the height. That will make it easier to get the bin in and out.

Photo 2: Attach the cleats

Position the cleat on the line and screw it to studs with 3-in. screws. It’s much easier if you predrill all the screw holes.

Here’s a simple, no-nonsense way to prevent your recycling bins from hogging precious floor space or getting kicked around the garage: Hang them on the wall.

For a standard 20-in.-long bin, all you need is an 18-in.-long 2×4 at the bottom of the column of bins, and a 1×4 and a 2×4, both 18 in. long, for the top lip of each bin. Level and screw the bottom 2×4 cleat to studs wherever you want the column to start. Then screw the top cleat pieces together with 1-5/8-in. screws (Photo 1). Use the bin as a spacer to position the top cleat for each bin. Draw a line to mark the top of the cleat (Photo 1) and then screw it to the wall with 3-in. screws (Photo 2). Repeat the process for each bin, hang them on the wall and then you can stop kicking those cans!

Required Tools for this recycling bin idea project

Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.

  • Cordless drill
  • Level
  • Miter saw
  • Stud finder
  • Tape measure

Required Materials for this recycling bin idea project

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list.

  • 1-5/8-in. drywall screws
  • 1x4
  • 2x4
  • 3-in. drywall screws