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Without Bins, where we would be ey? That extra storage to keep indoor and outdoor waste under wraps!
Imagine not having these plastic containers to shield away the smell and rot of our food and waste. We would be overrun with rats and creatures, and let's be honest, nobody wants that...apart from the rats that is!
Today, we take you on a trip down the back alleys and ginnels to dive deeper into all things wheelie bins. From what they are to how to get rid of them.
So, come with us on the journey to find out where the wheelie bins have wheelie bin all this time!
Wheelie bins are your allies in the fight to combat household waste. It is crucial to all homeowners and business owners waste disposal.
Wheelie bins are ideal for storing waste, be this Food, Garden, General, Paper & Cardboard...you get the gist. They are your companion for all types of waste collection and storage.
If we just left all our rubbish on the floor, we would have a high infestation rate and our houses would be surrounded by flies and rats.
UK wheelie bins were first introduced in the 1980s.
When these were rolled out they would have drastically improved the UK local environment and quality of life.
This was first located in Newcastle. Up the geordies!
Who could imagine living without our lovely mobile waste containers now?
Just like us humans, wheelie bins come in all forms of sizes. From your slim line versions all the way up to your big berthas!
Here are the different range of wheelie bin sizes that you will see around town:
60 litre wheelie bin: Little tiny dinky bins. This will hold only 1 bin bag.
80 litre wheelie bin: Another tiny number. This will hold 1 but maybe 2 at a squeeze.
140 litre wheelie bin: Your normal sized waste bin but on a diet. Some councils may provide slimmer bins for small bungalows.
240 litre wheelie bin: Your everyday normal sized bin. This is the most wheeled bin in the UK.
360 litre wheelie bin: This recycling bin is bit bigger. They are usually more suited to larger families or families with pets. You can usually request these bin sizes from your local UK councils.
660 litre wheelie bin: This is a larger wheelie bin size often used for commercial or industrial waste collection. Usually four wheeled bins.
1100 litre wheelie bin: This is one of the largest size bins you can get and you will mostly find these around business and commercial properties around the UK. These are generally 4 wheeled bins.
1280 litre wheelie bin: This will take 24 rubbish bags. The biggest of berthas!
Well, most bins will have chips in them, but, we are only talking about fish and chips!
Wheelie bins don't have chips in them, however, in some major city bins, they do have chips with a sensor on them so that the council know when they need collecting, which, we must say is very clever.
A local council close to home - Bury Council did actually try to implement this but got a lot of bad press. This was tested as far back as 2007. You can see the article here - https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/big-brother-wheelie-bin-spy-bugs-1040147
In the near future, you will more than likely see chips in bins so that companies can collect as and when they get full.
You are all asking it.
'We have seen the sizes, but how many bin bags can I shove into them?'
120 litre wheelie bin: Approximately 2 to 3 bin bags.
240 litre wheelie bin: Approximately 3 to 4 bin bags.
360 litre Wheelie bin: Approximately 5 to 6 bin bags.
660 litre wheelie bin: Approximately 7 to 10 bin bags.
1100 litre wheelie bin: Approximately 15 to 20 bin bags.
There is your answer!
Why not check out one of our other blogs which is based all around the wonderful world of Bin Wagons.
You can find more info on what happens to wheelie bins once collected and emptied here - CLICK HERE
They say you can't flog a dead horse, but we are giving our blogs a good go.
We have put together the ultimate blog on what can and can't be put in your wheelie bins.
Come & have a look - CLICK HERE
Choosing the right wheelie bin for your needs is simple.
First of you have to look and analyse the amount of waste and what types of waste you are producing for 1 week. Is it mostly plastic, mostly glass, 50/50 cardboard & plastic etc.
By knowing and understanding the amount of waste you are creating and the different types, this gives you a great insight into what you are producing each week and will point you in the right direction to the bins available that would be best for you.
You can have a think about how many bin bags worth of waste and recycling you're creating each day and then just times it by the number of days you work and compare that to the standard number of bags you can fit into each bin.
The main difference between commercial and domestic is the size.
Commercial means a wheelie bin for any form of business that is producing waste. So this could be a Cafe, Shop, School, Office etc.
It is any business that is creating commercial waste. Wheelie bins for commercial waste are never provided by the council as well, you would have to use a private waste collector for this.
Domestic means for any household/flat/residential property that has bins.
Commercial wheelie bins range from sizes with the smallest being a Slim 140L household bin, moving all the way up to the 1100L large bins or skips.
Domestic wheelie bins as you know from the above, are usually 140L, 240L or 360L.
There are eco-friendly bins out there that create a more sustainable waste management environment.
Actually, many of our household wheelie bin are made from recycled plastic which is called HDPE.
There are also some wheelie bins that are made from biodegradable materials, allowing them to break down naturally over time.
They can take a hefty load let's put it that way!
Each wheelie bin has a different weight limit. Smaller bins will have a smaller weight limit etc. These are:
140L - This smaller size bin often has a weight limit ranging from 40 to 55 kilograms (88 to 121 pounds - the weight of a medium-sized dog).
240L - A medium-sized bin commonly has a weight limit in the range of 80 to 100 kilograms (176 to 220 pounds - the weight of an adult female black bear).
360L - Larger bins may have weight limits of approximately 120 to 140 kilograms (264 to 308 pounds - The weight of a fully grown male Saint Bernard dog.).
660L - This typically ranges from 120 to 150 kilograms (264 to 330 pounds - The weight of an adult panda).
1100L - The weight limit for an 1100-liter bin is usually in the range of 200 to 300 kilograms (440 to 660 pounds - the weight of a large male lion).
You understand that they are made of plastic, but this isn't any old regular off the shelf plastic. Oh no, this tough stuff is called high-density polyethylene, or HDPE for short and usually this is made up from recycled plastic.
It's like the Chuck Norris of plastics, ready to take on anything. This material is resistant to chemicals, weather, and impacts, making it the perfect choice for our wheelie bin range.
Commercial 600L, 1100L and 1280L can often be made from metal to make them more durable & more resistant to damage.
As someone who has had their bin stolen on a couple of occasions, we are best suited to this topic! Good old Radcliffe ey!
Unfortunately, if you get your bin stolen or it becomes lost, there is nothing the council will do and the police won't deal with the issue, so it would be up to you to get this replaced yourself via the council website.
You could get buy wheelie bins from a private company like ourselves, but most councils would refuse to collect them if they aren't council branded. Sometimes life be like that!
With the amount of storms brewing up week in week out at the moment, now seems like the best time to throw you some quality wheelie tips to keep your bin security tight.
Well, sometimes in life, when things don't quite go as planned, sometimes you have to part ways and go find happiness elsewhere I MISS YOU CHLOE! Apologies, we don't know what came over us there.
Back to the blog, that was embarrassing...
Wheelie bins do split and this is usually due to an excessive amount of waste that has been placed inside at one time. If you overfill, it makes the structure weaker which can cause cracks which eventually leads to splits.
Wheelie bins are lockable and you can find many gadgets and gizmos online that can help you & they are available in a range of sizes and looks.
Here is the Amazon link if you wanted to buy online:
The 660L and 1100L bins that Busy Bins provide are lockable as standard as well.
The best way to do this is by getting in touch with your local council. You can do this via phone, but most of your councils will have an online portal which you can use to get rid of unwanted bins.
You can find your local council here - https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council
The general lifespan is around 5-10 years.
Wheelie bins are made from reinforced plastic so it does take a lot for them to crack or break.
Waste containers are built to withstand heavy forces and movements, especially with them being chucked around all day. Also they are designed to be easy to transport and have very strong wheels.
To clean your wheelie bin:
Absolutely! Wheelie Bins can be personalised or branded to add a touch of homeliness or to just make your bin more recognisable and easier to spot.
There are a few different ways in which you can personalise your bin:
Wraps - We aren't talking about the ones you use for your fajitas! Wraps are large, printed sheets that can cover the entire surface of the wheelie bin.
Stickers and Decals - Get some stickers to show off your bins best looks. Or, if you have children or nephews/nieces, get them to decorate your bins for you.
Painting - If you are feeling a bit artsy why don't you channel your inner banksy and get the paints out. Again, this is another fun activity that you could do with children.
Not only can you, we strongly recommend that you do!
With the price of bins increasing every year,(it currently costs £42 to replace a general waste bin on the Bury Council Website) make sure to clearly label and put your house number on it to stop anyone taking your bin by accident or even worse, on purpose.
Nobody wants to be shelling out £42 on a bin replacement!
When it comes to leaving your wheelie bin out you could say there is a bit of a grey area surrounding this.
On one hand there is no written rule or regulation that states your wheeled waste bin should be back on your property by a certain time, but, and it is a big but...if you leave you wheelie bin out, you could leave yourself open to getting it stolen or damaged.
This is why we would always suggest and recommend that you bring your plastic bin back onto your property as soon as possible after your bin collection.
Wheelie bins can pose a fire risk under certain conditions. When there are plastics involved there is always going to be a risk of fire due to how flammable it is.
Look our for these fire risks:
Combustible Material: The plastic used in wheelie bins is generally flammable. If a fire were to start near a wheelie bin, the plastic could ignite and contribute to the spread of the flames.
Bin Contents: If the bin contains flammable or combustible materials, such as paper, cardboard, or certain types of waste, a fire inside the bin could occur and potentially spread to the bin itself.
External Sources of Ignition: Wheelie bins placed near external sources of ignition, such as open flames, hot surfaces, or even arson, could be at a higher risk of catching fire.
We hope you aren't bringing the ice bucket challenge back out! Leave it in the past.
Wheelie bins do hold water, so technically, you could use it for an ice bath. Whatever you do with your bin is up to you as long as you don't set it on fire & as long as you are aware that your bin won't be collected if it is filled with stagnant water.
Most commercial sized bins are designed with a drainage hole in the bottom of it. This is to allow rainwater or liquids from waste to drain out when you take the bin plug out.
This reduces odours, prevents your bin from freezing & helps stop water accumulating at the bottom of the bin which would create extra weight and one hell of a smell!
You may not know this but some councils actually have a local regulation where your bins need to be stored a certain distance away from your home, which sounds crazy we know.
We would recommend making sure that your bin aren't too far away from your house, as they have more chance of being stolen or damaged. The only thing that we would advise is that the litter bins are always accessible for the waste collectors.
Is anything really rat proof?
These little critters can scurry there way into just about anything so we don't think a household 240 litre bin is troubling them.
Your range of wheeled fortresses are quite efficient at keeping rats out though, just as long as you keep the lid firmly closed & you avoid overfilling. An overfilled bin is heaven to a rat.
As previously mentioned you can purchase domestic/household wheelie bins from your local council.
There are a number of other different wheelie bin solutions out there, if you are looking to buy a new one:
Local Retailers: Many local hardware stores, home improvement centres, and department stores carry wheelie bins. Prices can vary based on factors such as size, material, and brand. Check with stores in your area for availability.
Online Retailers: Numerous online platforms, including Amazon, eBay, and specialized waste management equipment websites, offer a wide selection of wheelie bins. Online shopping allows you to compare wheelie bins for sale, read reviews, and choose from different brands, models and a range of colours. All online retailers will offer UK Delivery.
Waste Management Authorities: Some waste management authorities provide wheelie bins as part of their waste collection services. In such cases, the cost might be included in your waste collection fees.
Specialised Suppliers: Suppliers that specialise in waste equipment often offer a variety of wheelie bins. These suppliers may provide bins with specific features, such as recycled materials or customisation options.
Used Bins: Consider looking for used wheelie bins through local classifieds, second-hand stores, or online marketplaces. Ensure that used bins are in good condition and meet your requirements.
Hiding your wheelie bin can be done cost-effectively with some creative and practical solutions.
Here are several budget-friendly ideas to conceal your wheelie bin:
Use Natural Elements: Plant tall and dense shrubs or bushes around the bin to create a natural screen. This not only hides the bin but also adds greenery to your outdoor space.
Camouflage Paints: Channel your inner Rambo and get the camouflage war paint on!
Build a Simple Fence: Construct a basic wooden or bamboo fence around the bin. This can be a straightforward and affordable DIY project, providing a visual barrier while allowing easy access to the bin when needed.
John Cena: Wrap your bin in pictures of the WWE & Film Star as we all know you can't see him!
Get creative with your wheelie space to make it look wheelie good. Get the children involved and ask them to create a den for your bins to keep them safe. Challenge them to hide it the best.
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