What Type of Bin Does My Business Need?
In the UK, waste can be seperated by waste types, so be able to know what kind of bins your business will need, you will need to first understand what type (and how much) waste your company produces. The best way to get this information is to conduct a waste audit for your busniess, and read our useful guide about types of business waste and how to segregate them.
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Useful links from our article:
What Type of Bin Do I Need?
Choosing the Right Bin Size
Types of Commercial Bins
Considerations for Bin Selection
What Type of Bin Do I Need?
The type of bin you need will depend on the waste being stored. For instance, paper and cardboard should go in a recycling bin, while food waste belongs in a compost bin.
Once bins are full, they must be collected by a waste management company and transported to the appropriate disposal facility, such as a recycling plant, landfill site, or incinerator.
We think that effective waste management is crucial for protecting the environment and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.
Selecting the right bins for your business is a key aspect of managing waste efficiently, so make sure to choose bins that suit the specific types of waste your business generates.
Here are the different types of clinical bins colour coded for UK businesses:
Clinical waste colour coded bins
Yellow
Red
Orange
Purple
White
Blue
Yellow & Black
Black
Infectious waste to be disposed of immediately
Anatomical waste (hazardous and non-hazardous)
Infectious waste which is sent for treatment
Cytostatic and cytotoxic medicinal products such as sharps
Medicinal waste such as part empty containers
Out of date medicine etc
Non-infectious/hazardous hygiene waste
Choosing the Right Bin Size
Small bsinesses should opt for wheelie bins in sizes between 120 and 360 liters for limited waste.
Medium-sized businesses should consider FEL or REL containers ranging from 1.5 to 4 cubic yards, depending on waste volume.
Large businesses should consider roll-off containers or compactors, as these are tailored to specific waste disposal needs and are beneficial for significant waste generation.
Types of Commercial Bins
Wheelie bins:
Sizes : Available in a range of sizes from 120 liters to 1100 liters.
These are quipped with wheels for easy maneuverability, so these bins are suitable for general waste, recycling, and organic waste.
Front end load (FEL) containers :
Sizes: Range from 2 cubic yards to 8 cubic yards.
These are ideal for businesses with medium to high waste volumes, as FEL containers are commonly used for mixed waste, cardboard, paper, and plastics.
Rear end load (REL) containers:
Sizes: Typically range from 1.5 cubic yards to 8 cubic yards.
Serviced from the rear of the truck, making them suitable for businesses with limited space, so they are commonly used for paper, cardboard, and general waste.
Roll-off containers (RoRo):
Sizes: Available in various sizes, including 10, 15, 20, 30, and 40 cubic yards.
Features: Versatile and capable of handling large volumes of waste, making them suitable for construction sites, industrial facilities, and large businesses.
Compactor bins:
Sizes : Ranging from small compactors for retail spaces to large industrial compactors.
These are designed to compress waste materials, reducing their volume, which results in fewer pickups and cost savings for businesses with high waste volumes.
Considerations for Bin Selection
First, assess your business’s daily or weekly waste volume to choose an appropriately sized bin.
Next, consider the available space on your premises to comfortably accommodate the chosen bin size.
Ask yourself what are the most common waste types you produce? This is because different bins are designed for specific waste types, such as general waste, recyclables, or organic waste.
Finally, choose your bins accordingly to ensure proper waste separation and recycling efforts.
You can read more about different types of bins here:
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What Type of Bin Does My Business Need? Other Useful Links About Business Waste
Hi, I’m Ally Cox , a senior copywriter and blogger at CompareYourBusinessCosts.co.uk, the UK’s trusted platform for comparing business services.
With over a decade of experience in the B2B sector, I specialise in simplifying complex topics like leased lines, VoIP, business energy, HR and payroll solutions, accounting software, and EPOS systems .
Before joining CompareYourBusinessCosts, I worked across various industries, gaining hands-on experience in HR, copywriting, and business operations- from clocking-in systems to card machines and office technology .
My goal is simple: to help UK businesses make informed, confident decisions when choosing products and services that improve efficiency and save money.