I looked long and hard for a small trash/recycle can for my small kitchen.  I'm very happy with this one - have used it for several weeks. In my one-person household, I need to empty both sides about every two days.  (Doling out pet food twice a day so have lots of cans.) It's a clean look, the top removes easily, and you absolutely don't need the "custom" plastic bags.  I use cheap 4-gallon bags from the store - they hold more than the custom bags, yet still sit nicely in this bin without plastic showing around the top edge.  I wish the bins had a cover, BUT it does look nice and streamlined without one.  I bought a small 1/2" plastic cutting board to cover the trash side - contains odors, I don't have to look at the trash, it's easy to clean, and I just slide it aside to drop in trash.  Works for me.