We probably walk past dozens each day and not give them a second thought but the public waste bin is a crucial part of ensuring we are not wading down the high street knee-deep in discarded rubbish.

But unlike internal waste bins for our homes and offices, the public litter bin has to cope with higher demands and risks that are not a consideration external bins.

Public bins have to have a larger capacity than those we use in our homes. While we may have half-a-dozen people at home throwing rubbish and litter in it, a public waste bin will have hundreds and perhaps thousands.

They also have to be sturdy. Even the common-or-garden plastic dustbin or trash can would not last too long in a public environment. Many of the public waste receptacles are manufactured from tough polymers that are not only resistant to the rigours of the weather but can they are often fire proof, an important consideration with something that may sit on a high street amongst the general public

Sadly, bins in outdoor locations have to be resistant to vandals and thieves too. For this reason many are wall mounted of bolted to the floor. Some public bins even have a locking mechanism to prevent people from emptying the contents on the floor.

They also have to come in numerous designs for the types of locations they may be placed in and the types of waste they are likely to encounter. Hospital bins, wall mounted ashtrays, bins for schools, high streets, and parks all require different designs.

Outdoor bins need also to be plentiful. If there are not enough of them then littering will soon become a problem. Many people will use bins if they are there, but if not, they may be inclined to dispose of there rubbish on the pavement.

And the right location is just as important. Along busy while they may be unsightly, they still need to be placed along thoroughfares and be clearly visible. A litter bin tucked around the corner or hidden behind a building will be useless. They need to clearly visible and accessible otherwise they just won’t get used.

The sanitary bin is unlike other waste bins we may have around the home and office. Sanitary bins are designed fro washroom and bathroom locations and as such, are often used to dispose of feminine hygiene products, razor blades and all manner of personal, hygienic and medicinal waste.

For this reason the sanitary bin should have several features. Firstly, a good bin for washrooms or bathrooms needs to have a pedal or sensor system. Nobody likes to handle bins, especially if somebody else has placed personal waste in their which may have traces of body fluids such as blood.

Secondly, a bin for the washroom needs to be of adequate size. If the sanitary bin is for a workplace wash room or bathroom then it needs to be large enough that it won’t fill up between emptying times. If a bin is full then many of the items that should be thrown in the waste bin will get discarded in the toilet. Some of these items such as feminine sanitary devices can block up toilet systems very easily and so failing to have the right sized bin could cost a fortune in plumbing bill.

Washroom bins and bins for the bathroom are also often made from Polypropylene. This is a man made polymer and is well suited for this type of location as it is quite resistant to bacteria and microbes as there is nowhere for the bugs to hide on the bin surface.

Other materials that are good for sanitary bins are stainless steel, although stainless steel bins are often more expensive but they offer good protection against bugs and are easy to clean too. Materials to be avoided are things like wicker or mesh. These may make attractive waste paper baskets but they are not fit for purpose in a sanitary location.

There are other areas to the washroom and bathroom where a sanitary bin is often used such as medical facilities and hospitals although specialist hospital bins and bins designed to take medicinal products are available for clinics, surgeries and hospitals. These are very similar to sanitary bins but are often larger, sturdier and have to adhere to numerous regulations including fire retardation.

Sanitary bins are an important part of washroom hygiene so please ensure your home or workplace has an adequate sanitary bin.