A wastebasket includes a container having a top opening, and a lid mounted on the container and adapted to pivot about a pivot axis to cover and uncover the top opening. A mechanism for actuating pivotal movement of the lid with respect to the container is provided. The mechanism includes a generally horizontal operating lever having a foot pedal, a depending flange joined to the lid, and a rod linkage interconnecting the operating lever and the flange. The lid flange has an elongated slot formed through its thickness. The slot includes a channel and two enlargements situated at opposite ends of the channel. The rod linkage slides through the channel into one of the two enlargements, and engages the lid flange at either enlargement to pivot the lid between positions covering and uncovering the container. A U-shaped member having legs is pivotally mounted on the lid flange and is adapted to pivot with its legs across the elongated slot near one of the enlargements to help keep the rod linkage from inadvertently slipping out of the enlargement and into the channel of the slot when lid is being pivoted to a position uncovering the container.