Quality Assurance

The difference between our bins and lower quality models made in China

The bins on our website have been manufactured in the UK and Germany using high-quality materials, unlike many lower quality models made in China. Our containers remain strong while low-quality imitations are more susceptible to damage, causing them to crack and lose their shape. The wheelie bins on our website also offer a smoother finish, with sturdy lids that are more capable of coping with heat than other cheaper counterparts. The wheels on our bins are also bigger and more durable to cope with the impact of being moved over kerbs and loaded on to lorries. The handles on the wheelie bins in our range are sturdier, while the Chinese models are loose and could cause the lid to come off. While some cheaper bins may meet very basic EN 840 requirements, ours bear the RAL GZ 951/1 quality mark to demonstrate a higher standard of construction, materials and workmanship, along with more rigorous testing.

This is why we offer an enhanced guarantee. We have been established for 20 years so we know the difference between a high-quality bin and those simply not fit for purpose. Our wheelie bins are used by a large number of UK councils so you can trust us to deliver a good service, we spoke to a range of council purchasing managers, who confirmed they know of no UK councils who currently buy Chinese made wheelie bins.

Why Quality Wheelie Bins Matter

Demonstration

Check out the video below to see the difference between our 240-litre bin compared with an alternative manufactured in China that can be purchased at a cheaper price elsewhere after we dropped a 14kg kettlebell on both. While our bin stayed strong and kept its shape, the other sustained significant damage and cracked, with the lid no longer functional.

Under close inspection, there is a sharp contrast in quality between the two bins. Take a look at the video below, where you can see the cheap bin made in China was poorly finished, with sharp parts on the handle, scratches and marks on the lid, smaller and poor-quality wheels, and loose holding pins for the handle. You can see the lid on our 240-litre bin is much stronger and the container has a much smoother appearance.

Frequently Asked Wheelie Bin Questions

How do I know the bin I’m buying is good quality?

Wheelie bins should, as a minimum requirement, comply with EN 840 standards, which covers dimensions, lifting compatibility, safety and durability. A bin with the RAL GZ 951/1 quality mark has been manufactured to higher standards, providing greater reassurance that it has been rigorously tested and built to last longer. You also want to make sure good materials are used, such as high-density polyethylene. UV stabilisation helps keep the bins weather resistant and resilient as they get older. We use new materials, ensuring the bins are strong and durable compared to those using mixed materials. A good bin should be thick, with a strong comb lift bar, along with having a solid steel galvanised wheel axle and strong tyres. You should also look out for bins with durable hinges on the lids that open smoothly. If the bin is manufactured in Europe that is a good indicator it is a high-quality bin as they adhere to higher standards than China. Also, check what guarantee the seller is offering – we offer a five-year guarantee to provide reassurance that the wheelie bin is high quality and will last a long time. 

Will a low-quality wheelie bin save me money?

This is not always the case as it depends on the freight rates from the Far East to Europe if, for example, the bin has been ordered from China. They are also far more likely to break sooner, costing more money in the long run due to expensive repairs and replacement costs as they do not last as long. Sellers are also unlikely to offer any guarantees on cheap bins, meaning you could be out of pocket if it doesn’t last five years.

Why does the type of material matter?

Quite simply, high-quality material means the bin will last longer and stay in good condition even after heavy use. Bins made using new materials with UV stabilisers will not crack in cold weather or deform during heat, while they are more durable than bins made with thinner plastic or high levels of recycled material without reinforcement. Solid steel axles on the wheels with secure fixings and solid tyres ensure the bins won’t buckle under a heavy load.

What is EN 840?

This is a European standard specifying the design, manufacturing and performance requirements for wheelie bins (and other mobile waste and recycling containers) with capacities up to 1,700 litres.

EN 840 requirements include:

Two-wheeled bins with capacities up to 400 litres to be compatible with standard comb-lifting mechanisms used on waste collection trucks. These containers have standardised handle positions, lid designs and lifting bars so they can be emptied using common collection equipment. This allows waste collectors, such as councils, to empty the bins from different manufacturers using the same equipment.

• Bins must support a nominal load calculated as 0.4kg per litre of volume. For example, a 240-litre bin must have the capacity for a load of around 96kg in order to withstand heavy waste and repeated lifting by collection vehicles.
• Each wheel on a two-wheel bin must withstand a static load of at least 100kg to ensure the bin remains functional when heavily loaded and the wheels don’t fail during movement or lifting.
• Smooth surfaces that are free from defects or sharp edges that could cause injury.
• Compliance with health and safety requirements, ensuring wheelie bins are safe to handle and minimise injury risks.
• Passing performance tests, such as durability testing, drop tests, lifting cycle tests, wheel strength tests and stability testing to ensure the container can withstand regular use.
• Mandatory markings to show the standard number (e.g. EN 840-1 for two-wheeled bins with capacities up to 400L), nominal volume, manufacturer name or trademark, the maximum permissible mass (kg), manufacturing date and plastic material identification codes to support recycling.

Four-wheel bins with capacities up to 1,300 litres must be designed to work with trunnion and/or comb lifting devices on refuse collection vehicles. The containers must fit approved lifting devices when empty or loaded, and automatically and securely lock into the lifting mechanism during emptying. The lids must fully cover the opening, have a minimum two fixing points and include a mechanism for opening, with handles designed to avoid hazards for operators.

• Four-wheel bins must have four swivel castors, with each castor to support at least one-third of the maximum permissible mass during testing.
• Four-wheel bins with capacities between 1,300 to 1,700 litres must be compatible with wide trunnion or BG lifting device and/or wide comb lifting devices.

How our bins meet higher standards than EN 840 requirements

All of the bins on our websites have been awarded the RAL-GZ 951/1 quality mark by the Quality Control Association of Waste and Recycling Containers (GGAWB). This certification requires higher standards than the basic EN 840 requirements.The quality mark includes:

• Quality of construction, materials and workmanship – bins are assessed for compliance with EN 840 and additional GGAWB material and build quality standards.
• Steel grade and body structure – containers must meet specific material and structural criteria beyond the functional requirements of the EN 840.
• Dimension and load assessments – nominal volumes, dimensions and maximum permissible mass are verified to ensure accuracy and durability.
• Rigorous testing – Additional tests for wheel, handle and lid performance, including run tests and lateral wall impact tests not explicitly required in EN 840-5 and EN840-6 for performance and safety testing respectively.
• Application-specific tests – realistic operational simulations, such as kerb travel fall tests, carried out at defined temperatures and loads.
• Monitoring and quality assurance – certification requires initial testing, ongoing internal monitoring, external audits and re-testing to maintain quality over time.
• Marking requirements – all certified bins must display the RAL-GAZ 951/1 mark, alongside EN 840 standard number, manufacturer name, nominal volume, maximum permissible mass, manufacturing date and material identification codes for recycling. This helps councils and waste management companies to identify reliable, tested containers.

Our bins also carry the guaranteed acoustic power (CE) mark to show compliance with the noise emission standards in accordance with EC directive 2000/14/EC.