An actively cooled waste receptacle comprises an insulated container including (i) an inner wall defining a chamber having an opening for receiving the waste, and (ii) an outer wall surrounding the inner wall and joined to the inner wall at the opening. The receptacle also includes a cover configured to prevent access to the chamber via the opening in a closed position, and to allow access to the chamber via the opening in an open position; and a heat pump including an interior heat exchanger exposed to the chamber, the heat pump configured to cool the chamber by absorbing heat from air within the chamber via the interior heat exchanger, and transferring the heat outside the insulated container.