Wheelie bins which type is best for your business?

All businesses generate waste and it can definitely pay to buy your own wheelie bin. These waste containers are designed for ease of transporting waste to the pick up point. Here is a brief guide to help you select the most suitable wheelie bin for your business.

About Wheelie Bins
Wheelie bins were originally designed to reduce the risk of injuries caused by moving them whilst still providing the same amount of space as traditional round bins. On smaller wheelie bins, the two wheels are positioned on the same side as the lid hinge. They have certain standard dimensions as they need to fit the standard sized hoist that lifts them on the dustcart. The lip at the front by which they are lifted is designed for mechanical strength and maximum stiffness, with thermoplastic bins having this reinforced by a number of ribs. Steel bins are inherently stronger and do not need this reinforcement. Wheelie bins are strong enough to withstand tough environmental conditions and extreme temperatures.

Which size do I need?
It would be false economy to buy wheelie bin products that are too small for the waste that you generate, so start by working out how much waste you need to store each week between collections. Smaller wheelie bins for light commercial use can hold 120, 140, 240 or 360 litres, the equivalent to 26 to 79 imperial gallons. The 240 litre size is the most commonly used and has around the same capacity as three traditional dustbins. This is the usual household size and is comparatively easy to handle and move around your site.

Larger sizes of wheelie bins have four braked wheels rather than the two and are available either in steel or high density polyethylene. These are naturally heavier and have a capacity of 660 litres or 1100 litres. Higher capacity wheelie bins are suitable for businesses where a larger amount of waste is produced. The 660 litre wheelie bins have the capacity to store up to twelve standard refuse sacks, so depending on the frequency of collections, this may be the best option for your business. The larger 1100 litre bins can take as many as nineteen standard refuse sacks.

Other considerations
Wheelie bins do not only have to be used for refuse. They are also useful for storing items for recycling before these are collected. Some businesses have to store glass, plastics, metals and paper separately for recycling. Fortunately, wheelie bins are available in a range of different colours, including yellow, red, green, blue and grey, so you can choose distinctive colours to differentiate between what they are to be used for.

When you decide to invest in wheelie bins, you may want to buy wheelie bin accessories to complement them. Products available include wheelie bin cleaner that can be used to keep your bins in a good hygienic condition and a new product "Bin Buddy", which comes in two fragrances and contains a natural insecticide to repel and kill insects such as wasps, flies and cockroaches.