Litter Bins Buyers’ Guide
With so many designs, materials, and capacities available, the world of litter bins is often much bigger than expected. This buyer’s guide has been created to make the process simple, so you can choose a litter bin that’s practical, durable, and cost-effective.
Key Considerations for Litter Bins
Location & Environment
When selecting a litter bin, the most important step is understanding the environment it will be used in. A bin that performs perfectly in a quiet office corridor may quickly fail if placed in a busy transport hub, so matching features to real-world conditions is essential.
Location and environment are usually the first factors to assess. Indoor bins are typically designed with aesthetics and compactness in mind. They can be slimmer and lighter to blend into reception areas, retail settings, or office interiors. Outdoor bins, by contrast, must be engineered for durability. Exposure to rain, UV light, and temperature changes demands weather-resistant materials, while public spaces often call for vandal-resistant construction and secure fixing options.
Expected Footfall & Waste Volume
The expected footfall and waste volume of a location should also drive decision-making. High-traffic areas, such as shopping centres, train stations, or parks, generate significantly more waste and require either higher-capacity bins or a greater number of units spaced at regular intervals. Smaller sites, like schools or community halls, may be better served with mid-sized bins that are easier for staff to service.
Type of Waste
Another key factor is the type of waste the bin needs to accommodate. General waste can be handled by standard models with wide apertures, but recycling schemes require a more structured approach. Multi-stream bins with colour-coded or clearly labelled apertures help users separate materials such as plastics, cans, and paper. Food waste bins often need sealed lids and removable liners to manage odours and prevent pests, while more specialist requirements, such as dog waste or cigarette disposal, demand purpose-built units.
Branding Requirements
It is also worth considering the visual role of the bin. In some environments, the priority is for the bin to be as discreet as possible; in others, branding opportunities are valuable. Bins can be finished in corporate colours, carry a logo, or even display public messages that support anti-litter campaigns and recycling targets. A well-chosen bin can contribute to the wider identity of a site just as much as it contributes to cleanliness.
Budget & Lifecycle Costs
The budget and lifecycle costs should also be carefully weighed. A low-cost plastic bin might seem attractive upfront, but if it cracks or fades after a year outdoors, the replacement costs quickly add up. Heavier-duty steel or composite units may carry a higher purchase price but will often pay for themselves through a longer lifespan, reduced servicing requirements, and better resistance to damage.
Types of Litter Bins
Steel & Galvanised Steel Bins
Our steel litter bins are among the most popular choices, known for their robust construction and visual flexibility. Built using galvanised steel and coated with durable polyester powder, these bins carry a leading 12-year anti-perforation warranty. They come in styles ranging from classic square to cylindrical forms, with capacity options from 40 to 180 litres, or bespoke liners on request.
A standout model is the Derby Standard Litter Bin, a best-seller featuring a 120-litre galvanised steel body, heavy-duty base, laser-cut “LITTER” text, and vinyl trims. Its door-bar hinge system has proven reliable across decades of use.
Wheelie Bin Housings
Wheelie bin housings are designed for very high-footfall areas where capacity is critical. These enclosures disguise 120- to 360-litre wheelie bins inside a robust steel body, combining operational practicality with the aesthetics of street furniture. They also deter vandalism and reduce issues with open refuse containers.
The Derby Wheelie Bin Housing is a popular choice, built with galvanised steel and available with decorative banding, vinyl logos, or powder-coated finishes to match surrounding furniture.
Timber Bins
Timber litter bins provide a softer, more natural appearance, making them especially suited for parks, heritage sites, and landscaped areas. Broxap combines FSC-certified hardwoods such as Iroko or treated softwoods with galvanised steel liners to deliver strength without sacrificing visual appeal.
The Westleigh Litter Bin is a key model, offering a 75-litre capacity in a galvanised and powder-coated steel frame with timber slats fitted to the door.
Recycled Plastic Bins
Plastic and recycled plastic bins offer a lightweight, vandal-resistant, and sustainable option, particularly for schools, community sites, and coastal environments where corrosion can be an issue. They are easy to clean and available in a variety of colours and shapes.
The Synergy Litter Bin, made from 100% recycled plastic, is a flagship design combining durability with a contemporary profile. The Maelor Recycled Plastic Bin is another strong option, using environmentally friendly materials in a design that withstands exposure to weather and heavy use.
Stainless Steel Bins
Stainless steel bins provide a clean, contemporary aesthetic with high resistance to corrosion. They are ideal for modern developments, indoor environments, and prestige projects where appearance is as important as performance. Hygienic and easy to maintain, they are frequently specified in airports, shopping centres, and high-end public spaces.
The Stainless Steel Derby Slimline Bin is a notable model, designed with sleek lines and a compact footprint, offering a 90-litre capacity suited to both outdoor and indoor use.
Cast Iron Bins
Cast iron bins are the heritage option, delivering a traditional look and a weighty presence that resists vandalism. Often featuring decorative banding, crests, or embossing, they are ideal for historic town centres and conservation areas. Internally, they typically house a galvanised steel liner to improve usability and servicing.
The Heritage Cast Iron Litter Bin exemplifies the category, offering a 58-litre capacity in a classic square housing with raised detailing and optional crests.
Materials and Durability
The material a litter bin is made from has a direct impact on how long it will last, how easy it is to maintain, and how well it performs in its environment. For this reason, material choice is one of the most important considerations when specifying a bin.
Plastic bins are often manufactured from polymers that are lightweight, resistant to corrosion, and generally cost-effective, making them a popular choice for both indoor and outdoor use. High-quality plastics are UV-stabilised to prevent fading in sunlight, and their smooth surfaces are easy to wipe clean. However, while plastic is ideal for lighter-duty applications, it is much more prone to vandalism than metal.
Steel and stainless steel bins are chosen for their strength and durability. Powder-coated mild steel offers excellent resistance to knocks and vandalism, while stainless steel provides an additional layer of protection against corrosion, making it suitable for exposed outdoor environments or coastal areas where salt in the air accelerates rust.
Timber-clad bins or composite designs are often specified for parks, heritage sites, and landscaped environments where appearance is as important as function. These bins usually combine a steel frame with external timber slats, such as our Westleigh bin. The combination provides structural strength with a natural aesthetic that complements outdoor surroundings.
In addition to the base material, surface treatments and finishes play a role in durability. Powder coatings, galvanisation, and specialist anti-graffiti or anti-fly coatings all enhance the performance of the bin in demanding environments. These treatments can protect against corrosion, make cleaning easier, and reduce the likelihood of long-term staining or damage.
Capacity & Sizing
Choosing the correct size is about balancing practical convenience for the people using the bin with operational efficiency for the team servicing it.
For low-traffic areas, smaller bins in the range of around 50-100 litres are often sufficient. These units are compact, discreet, and easy to position without taking up valuable floor space. Because they fill gradually, they can be emptied as part of routine cleaning schedules without demanding dedicated attention.
In moderate-traffic settings, bins of 120-200 litres usually strike the right balance. They are large enough to reduce the frequency of emptying but not so big that they become cumbersome to handle. Many of these mid-sized bins are designed with removable liners or internal cassettes that make servicing straightforward.
For high-traffic public spaces, such as shopping centres, busy streets, parks, transport hubs, capacity becomes critical. Outdoor litter bins typically range from 100 litres to well over 200 litres. Larger capacities mean bins can cope with peak usage periods without overflowing, but they also require sturdier construction and well-designed access points for emptying.
The type of waste stream also influences capacity requirements. Multiple compartments encourage correct sorting, especially for food waste bins. Liners are often deliberately sized on the smaller side so they can be emptied more frequently, reducing odour and hygiene risks.
Accessibility & Useability
A litter bin is only effective if people can and will use it. The design of the aperture, the height of the bin, and the way it is serviced all influence how accessible and user-friendly it is, both for the public and for the staff responsible for maintenance.
The aperture is the first point of interaction. Wide, open apertures make it easy to dispose of waste quickly, which is ideal in high-traffic locations such as transport hubs or shopping centres. Hooded apertures, meanwhile, help keep out rain and animals when used outdoors, but they must still allow easy access for users. For recycling bins, aperture shapes and colours play a critical role in guiding correct disposal, for example, circular holes for bottles and cans or narrow slots for paper.
Height and placement are equally important. Bins positioned too low can be awkward to use and more difficult for operators to service, while bins that are too high may be inaccessible to children or wheelchair users. Accessibility standards (such as the Equality Act) set out recommended dimensions and reach ranges. Designing and installing bins in line with these standards ensures inclusivity and compliance.
Ultimately, a litter bin should be as effortless to use as possible. The easier it is for the public to dispose of waste correctly, and for staff to keep the unit clean and functional, the more effective the bin will be in maintaining a tidy and hygienic environment.
Customisation Options
Lid types are one of the most practical litter bin customisable options. Pyramid lids are by far the most common on steel and stainless-steel bins, as their angled design discourages people from sitting on the bin or leaving items balanced on top. Other lid profiles, such as flat tops exist, but pyramid lids remain the popular choice for busy urban environments where misuse can be an issue.
For smoking waste, ashtrays and stubbing plates are popular options. A stubbing plate provides a simple, cost-effective surface for extinguishing cigarettes, while integrated ashtrays house the waste in a tube beneath the plate. Historically, ashtrays required a separate key for emptying, but modern designs now operate with the same key as the main bin, self-emptying to simplify maintenance.
Another option is advertising panels, which transform bins by displaying campaigns, maps, or public messages. These panels can be used to promote anti-littering initiatives, branding or retail promotions. Dual-waste bins, where two streams of waste are managed side by side within one housing, reduce clutter and make recycling easier for users.
Surface finishes can also be tailored to site requirements. Our excellent Protex powder coating is available in a wide range of colours, while anti-graffiti coatings provide a protective layer that allows spray paint and markers to be removed without damaging the underlying finish. This is especially valuable in town and city centres, where graffiti is a recurring problem. Anti-fly finishes, which add a subtle texture to the surface, deter posters, stickers, and vinyls from being applied in the first place.
For more demanding environments, architectural paints can be specified. Nottingham City Council, for example, requested bins finished with Structura D1036 paint, a harder coating that resists scratches. While tougher against abrasion, this finish makes graffiti removal more challenging, so it is a trade-off between durability and ease of maintenance.
Logos and graphics can be applied in several ways. Vinyl decals are the most popular, offering a flexible and cost-effective option that can be easily updated. For higher-end or permanent applications, polycarbonate panels provide a more durable solution that can be swapped out when necessary, though this is rarely required due to their longevity. Laser-cut branding is also an option but tends to be less flexible and more expensive compared to vinyls.
Recommendations
If you are planning a project or upgrading your waste management infrastructure, our team can help identify the most suitable products for your environment. From technical advice to bespoke finishes, we work with councils, architects, contractors, and private organisations to deliver bins that are built to last.
Next step: Get in touch with us today to discuss your requirements, request product specifications, or arrange a quotation. A cleaner, more efficient, and more welcoming environment begins with the right litter bin.
Litter Bins FAQs
What size litter bin do I need?
The right size depends on footfall and the type of waste generated. For low-traffic areas such as residential streets, a 40-60 litre bin may be sufficient. In busy town centres or transport hubs, 120–180 litre bins are more appropriate. For very high-demand sites, consider wheelie bin housings that conceal 240–360 litre containers.
What materials are best for outdoor litter bins?
Galvanised steel is the most popular choice due to its strength, anti-corrosion properties, and long lifespan. Stainless steel is excellent for modern or indoor environments, while timber is ideal for parks and heritage settings. Plastic and recycled plastic bins are durable, sustainable, and highly resistant to coastal conditions or vandalism.
How are litter bins fixed in place?
Fixing methods include ground bolts, spigots, spikes, internal ballast, or freestanding designs. The choice depends on the surface (concrete, paving, or soft ground) and whether the bin needs to be permanent or removable. Correct fixing improves stability and prevents vandalism.
Why do some bins have internal runners?
Internal runners support the liner so it sits above the base of the bin. This keeps the liner clear of grime and moisture, makes it easier to remove and empty, and prolongs its lifespan. Runners with drainage holes also improve ventilation and reduce odour build-up.
What is the benefit of a pyramid lid?
Pyramid lids are designed to deter people from sitting on the bin or leaving items on top. They also help rainwater run off rather than pooling on the surface. This makes them a practical option for both steel and stainless-steel bins in outdoor environments.
Can litter bins include cigarette disposal features?
Yes. Options include stubbing plates, which provide a cost-effective surface for extinguishing cigarettes, and integrated ashtrays, which house waste in a secure chamber. Modern ashtrays can be emptied using the same key as the main bin, making servicing quicker and easier.
What are anti-graffiti and anti-flypost coatings?
Anti-graffiti coatings allow paint and markers to be removed without damaging the bin’s finish. Anti-flypost coatings create a textured surface that makes it difficult to apply posters or stickers. Both are valuable for town centres and transport areas where vandalism is a risk.
Are bins available with dual waste or recycling options?
Yes. Many modern bins offer dual compartments for general waste and recycling. This supports sustainability targets and helps councils and organisations improve waste segregation without cluttering streets with multiple bins.
How long do litter bins last?
With proper specification and maintenance, high-quality galvanised steel bins can last 15 years or more. Regular servicing, correct liner use, and protective coatings (such as anti-graffiti finishes) all help extend lifespan.
Do I need to meet any regulations when installing litter
bins?
Yes. Depending on the location, bins may need to comply with fire safety standards, accessibility regulations, and local authority requirements on capacity or spacing. Working with an experienced supplier ensures compliance from the outset.