Everything You Wanted to Know About Wheelie Bins

Wheelie bins might not be the most glamorous of things, but they have an important job to do. We like to think of them as the unsung heroes of our daily lives. So what are they made from and what makes our bins so durable and reliable? Let us tell you!

Here’s everything you wanted to know about wheelie bins.

What are they made of?

Wheelie Bins are made of a plastic called polyethylene which is extremely resistant to cracking and bending, so it can take a beating from the great British wet and windy weather! Speaking of the weather, our wheelie bins are also UV resistant and can withstand extremes in temperature.

What about rusting?

The wheel axle is made from galvanised steel, so it will not corrode or rust easily, even with the amount of rain that the British weather throws at us. Every component of your wheelie bin is made to last, so you can rest assured that when you buy products from us, you’ll be getting the highest quality products that will last you for many years.

How much rubbish can a wheelie bin hold?

This depends on the size of the bin bags you’re using, and how well you’ve compacted your rubbish (remember to crush those cans and flatten those plastic bottles in your recycling bin!). As a general guide though, if you’re using 65- litre rubbish bags, you’ll be able to fit around 3 bags in a 120-litre bin, 4 bags in a 240-litre bin, and 6 bags in a 360-litre bin.

What is the size of the average household wheelie bin?

Different councils tend to have different collection systems and rules, but generally household wheelie bins are anything from 120-litre to 240-litre models. Commercial and communal bins tend to be much larger and can have as much capacity as 1100-litres!

• Read More: 120 Litre Wheelie Bins & 240 Litre Wheelie Bins

What are the safety standards for wheelie bins?

The British standard BS EN-840 regulates the design of any wheelie bin. There are quite strict requirements, and most councils and waste management companies won’t collect bins that don’t meet the standard. According to the standard, there are strict rules around the positioning and shape of the handles, the type of wheels and how they are positioned, the fitting of direction blocks which helps the wheels steer correctly, brakes, and the type of lid.  All of our wheelie bins are manufactured and tested in line with BS EN840.

Can I make my household or business bin identifiable so that it’s clear who it belongs to?

Yes you can! While you might see some people going old school and painting their house number on their bin, why do that when you can pimp your bin with some high-quality vinyl bin stickers? You can make your household bin uniquely yours in this way, or if you own a business, you can get stickers printed with your company logo. This is a great way to avoid your bin going astray too.

Are wheelie bins really that versatile?

You may see them being used for unsavoury reasons that frequently appear in the headlines but the humble wheelie bin is quite versatile. They can be used as compost bins, storage solutions, and even as makeshift vehicles for wheelie bin racing (yes, that it a thing!)

Are wheelie bins recyclable?

Wheelie bins are mostly recyclable at the end of their life. This is because as we mentioned earlier, they’re made from polyethylene, which is a thermoplastic. Thermoplastics can be melted, cooled, and reheated again without any real reduction in quality. Polyethylene becomes a liquid when it’s heated, so it can easily be injection moulded and turned into another useful item.

How robust are your wheelie bins?

Any of our wheelie bins are made from virgin plastic only which makes them stronger and more durable compared to items that are made from mixed materials. All of our bins have an extra strength comb lift bar as well as a solid steel galvanised wheel axle with strong reinforced wheels. All of our bins are full thickness wheelie bins. While some sellers sell more fluted models with a lower thickness, our products are about durability and reliability all the way.

Want to know more about our products?

If you have any questions we haven’t answered, we’d love you to get in touch so we can help you find your perfect wheelie bin!

Call us on 01684 292727 or drop us a line at info@wheeliebins.co.uk