What makes the perfect bin?
We recently wrote about the importance of local authorities, businesses and other organisations having good Binfrastructure as a crucial starting point for tackling littering problems. But once that structure is in place, it’s also important to ensure that you have the right type of bin. A good way of doing this is to carry out a bin audit - so, what factors should you consider when doing a bin audit?
What do you have in place right now?
Start by looking at the litter bins you already have, as well as where they are located and how well they are currently being used. Consider issues such as:
- Which design features you like
- What would you change about the design if you could?
- How easy are they to empty?
- How often do they need emptying?
- Are the bins well used? If not, why do you think that is?
- Are they suited to their location?
- Are particular areas prone to littering for other reasons? E.g. they are wind traps, or in areas where no one assumes responsibility for keeping an area litter-free, such as bus stops or other areas where the public congregate or pass through.
You could also carry out a survey and ask local people their opinions of the bins that you currently have – after all, they are the end users, and they may have something helpful to contribute.
Fitness for purpose
While consistency is a key factor in terms of the types of bin used, it’s also important to recognise that there is no one-size-fits-all litter bin. That’s why our range includes a variety of shapes, sizes and colours. However, there are some common features that a good bin should have.
Aperture – this needs to be accessible as many people have an aversion to touching bins, but not so open that litter can be easily removed either by wind or through vandalism. The shape of the aperture is also significant, especially for recycling bins. For example, apertures for paper may be quite flat whereas bins for plastic are most likely to be used for bottles, and so a rounded aperture has been shown to increase usage. Our Olympic Dual Bin has different shaped apertures for the separation of different recyclable materials at source.
Capacity – this may well be dictated by footfall and surroundings. For example, an area with high footfall or several takeaway food outlets nearby is likely to need a larger bin, which will also need emptying regularly. Unfortunately, it’s an all too common sight to see overflowing litter bins and so getting the right size for purpose is critical. At Amberol, we have bins of varying sizes for both indoors and outdoors, from the 100 litre capacity Slim-Bin Recycle to the 240 litre capacity Eco-Bin. We also have bins which can be used to create bin banks in larger spaces.
Colour – it’s important that litter bins get noticed. Many local authorities opt for black bins, but it could be worth experimenting with different colours to improve usage. Bins in bright colours are more welcoming and are also more visible to the sight impaired. However, it is advisable to avoid confusion by being consistent in colour use across a local authority, only using different colours for bins with differing purposes such as recycling. At Amberol we have 18 standard colours available to choose from, or you can specify a colour of your choice to match RAL and BS colours.
Try something different - we also supply novelty animal bins in the shape of chicks, bears and penguins which are both eye-catching and popular with young and old alike. We can even add voice boxes to bins offering the option of customisable messages thanking people for disposing of their litter.
Signage – it’s usually fairly easy to identify a litter bin, but signage is influential in creating a consistent message and also engendering a sense of ownership through personalisation. Clear signage is particularly important on recycling bins so it is crystal clear which materials can be placed in which sections. Amberol can customise bins with logos, crests and labels - which is also attractive to sponsors.
Keep it clean – ironically, a dirty bin is more likely to deter people from depositing their litter there. Research has shown that littering behaviours are often impacted by feelings of revulsion for unclean things, especially amongst younger people. Therefore, a bin that is perceived as unhygienic is less likely to be used correctly.
Amberol can help you choose the right bin
If you need help choosing the right bin for your area or site, we are happy to offer advice based on our extensive experience of manufacturing and supplying litter bins. Call us on 01773 830 930 or email sales@amberol.co.uk for more information. We can even arrange a no-obligation virtual demonstration for you.
