Choose where you want to place your container. Then decide how you want the exterior to look. What do you want at the top. The original container had tiles on top so it could be placed along the side of the Stove. My wife wanted a place to put VERY hot pots. What else do you want me to do? The original had a drawer at the bottom to store garbage bags. This idea could also be modified to work in other rooms in the house. Once you think of the concept, let your imagination run wild. Think about changing the size, the type of top material, or even the size of the drawer or the number of drawers. What about the sides? Painted or finished. What do you have lying around the house or in the garage? What can you buy cheap at your local store? For a recycling bin cover, you first need to decide what you want to recycle and where you want to put your bin. Once you decide you are ready to put together your bill of materials.

Material’s list 3/4-inch lumber (use your width and depth measurements). 1 width and 2 depths This will be the wood for the sides and back. 1/4-inch plywood to use as a base This is the bottom for the can to sit on, as well as the bottom of the entire unit if you’re adding some sort of drawer liner. It can be plain wood that is painted or wood that you plan on laminating, or maybe you can get a cabinet door to match your kitchen cabinets. Piano hinge the width of your container (for the top of the lid to open) 1 handle (for the drawer) material for the top of plywood and finishing material (tile, wood, granite tile) Set of 4 small wheels if you want it is mobile. Wood trim for the edge of the top and drawer

ADDRESSES We decided that it was easier for us to have a place in the kitchen for cans and another place in the house for paper as well as plastic. So for the kitchen unit, what I did was find a very LARGE plastic trash can. Tall ones used in a kitchen, NOT round. This will determine the height and width of your container. I measured the height of the stove, made sure I was about an inch above the top of the plastic container, and got the measurement of the shelf my can would sit on, which left my final drawer height. I cut 3 pieces of wood, this was for my back and 2 sides. The full height and depth/width. Determined the bottom, where you can lay plastic garbage. To do this, measure the height of the can you are using and add 2 inches. Measure 3 one inch pieces of lumber, nail them down and glue them to the back and 2 sides on the inside of your lumber. Having measured down from the top. This creates a ledge for the one-inch plywood to sit on. You have now created the bottom panel that the plastic trash can will sit on. Measure a piece of plywood that is the width and depth of your box. This will create the bottom for the can to sit on. Measure a piece of plywood or other material you’ve decided to use for the top, and cut and mount the piano hinge to the back of the box and top. It usually mounts to the back of the case, but depending on your situation, you can mount it to the side. Which one would work best for you? Cut the front piece to the full width and height of your container. Mount the one-inch lumber to the inside of your front piece. Just glue this piece. You don’t want a nail accidentally showing on the front. Basically, you’re making a box to hold the plastic container, with the extra measurement for the drawer. For the front panel I used the same material that the kitchen cabinets are made of. If you can get a cabinet door and drawer front to match your cabinets, use them. You may have to slightly modify your measurements to make everything fit. If you can’t get the door and drawer, use finished plywood and then stain or paint it to match your decor. Make your drawer out of the plywood and mount the front panel and handle to it. Finish your top with the material of your choice. Tile was used in the original. It’s hard to explain all the steps involved in creating this box, but I hope you get the idea. Designing patterns and plans is actually a job best left to the experts. The following link will take you to someone who is an expert. Same name as me but much better designer. It explains everything in addition to giving a detailed list of materials.