Council Wheelie Bin Size Guide

Council Wheelie Bin Size Guide

Want to invest in a new wheelie but need to know whether your council will empty it? You need the lowdown on council wheelie bin sizes. Here’s our guide.

What Size is a Standard Council Wheelie Bin?

There’s no easy answer to this question. The ‘standard’ wheelie bin size very much depends on where you live. Some councils give out 120-litre bins and in other areas, 140, 180, 240, or 360-litres is the norm. We would always say that before you buy a new bin, check which size bins your council collects. If you buy the wrong size, your bin could be left on the kerb.

How Do I Find Out the Size of My Current Wheelie?

You want to replace an old or damaged wheelie with a shiny new bin. How do you find the size of your current council wheelie bin so you order the right size?

When wheelie bins are made, this information is automatically printed on during manufacturing. Take a close look at your wheelie. You should see the name of the company that made it and information about its size and maximum capacity.

Depending on the model, you’ll find the information on top of the bin, around the rim, or on the bottom.

How Do I Find Out the Size of My Wheelie Bin From Dimensions?

Unfortunately, there is not one singular set of dimensions for each size. For example the height of a 240 Litre Wheelie Bin can range from 106cm to 118cm. This is because of the way wheelie bins are manufactured, different manufacturers have different measurements to make a bin that fit 240 litres of waste. 

Our 240 litre wheelie bins are 1179mm (H) x 735mm (D) x 581mm (W). To help you figure out what bin size you have we have surveyed the top wheelie bin manufactures that are sold in the UK to create an easy to use guide.

Council Wheelie Bin Size Guide

How Do I Choose the Right Size Council Wheelie Bin for Me?

So, the golden rule is to find out what size bins are standard issue for your council. Then, you need to think about the practicalities.

How often does your council collect your rubbish? If you only get one collection a month, you’re more likely to need a larger bin. Unless you’re very savvy at reducing waste, that is. If you get weekly rubbish collections, a smaller wheelie will probably suffice.

Then you need to think about the size of your family and how much rubbish you actually throw away. A larger family likely needs a larger bin. However, even if you live alone or just with a partner, keeping an eye on how much you throw away is a good idea. Over the course of a few weeks, monitor how much you throw away. Get to know how many bin bags your bin can take before it’s at full capacity. As a guide, a 240-litre council wheelie bin should comfortably hold 4-5 bin bags of rubbish.

Is Bigger Better When it Comes to a Wheelie Bin?

This is another question where the answer is very much ‘it depends.’

When it comes to your humble council wheelie bin, bigger can be better if you have a large family. Also, it’s good to have the extra space available in case your council decides to change the frequency of collections.

However, something to bear in mind is that the bigger the bin, the heavier it will be. Particularly when it’s full. You also need to consider whether you have the space needed for a larger bin.

So there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to your council wheelie bin. Hopefully, our guide has illuminated what you need to think about. If you want to invest in a new wheelie, check the sizes your council collects as standard. Then think about your waste habits and your lifestyle. Only then will you find the wheelie that’s your perfect match!

For more interesting articles on all things wheelie bins, check out the rest of our blog.