They are everywhere; on roadsides, along pavements, in our homes, front drives and at work. We hardly give them a second thought but the humble rubbish or waste bin does a highly important job that keep our homes, streets and city centres clean.

There are several types of waste bin used by each of us. There are those that we dispose of our waste at home or work. The outdoor bin where this rubbish is stored until collected by the local authority of waste management company, then there are the public litter bins provided for us on the high street to ensure our streets are kept clear.

But there are other types of rubbish receptacles that are increasingly being commonly used, including:

• Recycling bins
• Gardening bins
• Bin banks for bottles and cans

At Home

Many of us may remember the traditional dustbin that most homes had. Either metal of plastic it was this bin that stored all our household waste until it was emptied by the dustmen.

However, increasingly as more local authorities have switched to fortnightly collections and the need to reduce landfill and encourage recycling, these types of outdoor bin have slowly disappeared from our neighbourhoods, to be replaced instead by wheelie bins and recycling bins.

At Work

Similar changes have happened around the workplace too. Recycling is now much more common at our places of work, although the business sector has a long way to go to achieve the same levels of recycling that happens in the domestic environment.

However, it increasingly common for business, especially offices to recycle paper in paper recycling containers. Other recycling containers such as cup collectors that are used to recycle disposable coffee cups from dispensing machines.

Transparent bins prevent explosive devices from being hidden

In Public Areas

Bins in public locations such as along the high street or in parks are often immobilized by being floor or wall mounted to prevent vandals (and even theft) and vermin from emptying the bins.

However in recent years it has been commonplace for terrorists to use bins to hide explosive devices this has led to a decline in the number of bins in enclosed areas such as railways, airports and shopping centres although transparent bins can often be used in these areas – often a clear bin bag suspended from a frame.

Rubbish and litter is an inevitability. Everybody accumulates waste and rubbish that has to be disposed of. The average person in the United Kingdom disposes of over 5 kilos of rubbish a week in their rubbish bin – a quarter of a tonne a year.

All that waste has to go somewhere too. It is either buried in landfills, burnt or it can be recycled. However, not everything can be recycled and much of what we throw away in our rubbish bins isn’t biodegradable, meaning it can linger around landfills for decades – damaging the environment in the process.

Types of rubbish

The type of rubbish we throw away can be divided into five different categories. Some of which is biodegradable, some which isn’t:

• Plastic – Most plastics aren’t biodegradable. Many can’t be recycled either which is why the use of plastics is becoming an increasing environmental concern.
• Paper/card – from packaging to newspapers most paper can be recycled in some for or another. Paper recycling bins and recycling containers make it easy to store before it is taken away.
• Tins and metals – Most metals can be recycled and special recycling facilities exist in most towns and cities to deal with it.
• Ceramics and glass – Both can be recycled so look out for bottle banks or glass recycling bins.
• Organic waste – from lawn trimmings to the garden to food scraps fro the kitchen. The least harmful to the environment, organic waste is useful as compost and fertilisers.

Recycling

Recycling is essential if we are to keep in check our growing need for landfill and the increase in rubbish that is being discarded. Different types of recycling bins are available for both public and home use.

Household recycling bins, for inside the home, are often separated into compartments to make recycling easier. The rubbish can then be disposed of in the relevant outdoor bins. Often recycling bins are colour coded to make the process easier.

Can bank

Non-recyclable waste

Waste that is thrown in the rubbish bin and can’t be recycled can become a nuisance, especially many plastics that linger in the environment. Look to ways to reduce the amount of plastics and packaging you consume to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfill. You will be surprised at how little you really do need to throw away in the waste bin.

Waste is a key part of any business -whilst reducing waste can help increase profitability – it can never be totally eliminated and all businesses have to deal cope with waste management.

Rubbish and waste in some businesses is often minimal and requires little more thought than the removal of rubbish from our homes does. However, in some industries, rubbish removal and waste management can be an integral part of a running a successful business and should never be dealt with lightly:

Food Industry

In the UK there are more fast-food restaurants, diners and takeaways, per person than in any other nation on earth* and all that takeaway food can result in masses of waste that the fast food industry has to deal with.

In the fast food business the rubbish discarded comes in two types:

• Packaging and wrapping
• Food waste

And each has to be dealt with differently.

Packaging and wrapping from fast food items is often discarded close to the premises and businesses need to work with their local authority to ensure there are enough public bins and external bins for litter.

Food waste has to be handled differently, however. Food can attract vermin and can also lead to unpleasant smells. For general use inside the business a good kitchen bin should be used. It needs to be large enough to handle day-to-day waste while also should have a well-fitted lid. You may find for ease of use a pedal bin or sensor bin will be prevent the need from handling it.

Externally – food waste needs to be stored in an outdoor bin which also has a good lid. External bins will also need to be sturdy to prevent them being toppled by vermin.

Office Paper and Recycling

Offices are another common business area that can amass large amounts of waste. Generally most office waste comes in the form of paper.

Paper can of course be recycled so a good paper recycling bin or container should be kept to allow the paper to be collected and recycled. There should be some risk assessment into storing paper as it is a potential fire risk. If waste aper is discarded to an outdoor area a fire retardant bin might be worth a consideration.

Large Capacity Recycling Bin

Steel large capacity recycling bins are a good idea for nearly all types of businesses that discards a lot of recyclable material. There are also recycling bins for collection of plastic cups – another common item discarded from business.

Recycling is now compulsory in many areas of the country. It is no longer something that just a few people do that are conscious about the environment. Recycling is now a prerequisite for many householders and is often enforced with fines or a refusal to collect rubbish.

But is can be a confusing issue, especially considering the different schemes that run up and down the country where different materials are accepted for recycling. Often there is a lot of disparity in the number of recycling bins and what items can go in each too which adds to the confusion.

However, if recycling is compulsory then local authority recycling bins should be provided to most householders with instructions as to what can be placed in each. In general recycled materials can be summed in the following categories:

Different Recycling Materials:

Metals – both ferrous and non ferrous, often both can be placed in the same recycling bin.

Plastics – Many local authorities can’t yet recycle plastic but there are a few that do and plastics these would therefore have to be separated from the general household waste that would go into the conventional rubbish bin.

Paper – Paper and card are recycled by most local authorities. Sometimes large tubs or containers are used rather than  paper recycling bins doesn’t cause smells of other environmental hazards.

Food/organic waste – This can’t really be recycled by your local authority but you can do so at home by composting. Food waste rots anyway so it doesn’t pose too much of an environmental hazard.

Ceramics – Again, not all authorities will recycle ceramics and some will combine it with glass recycling too.

Clothing/fabrics – A lot of clothes that aren’t worn can be distributed to needy causes but fabrics can be recycled too so enquire to what schemes are on in your area.

Glass/bottles – Some authorities expect you to go the bottle bank, others will provide you with a recycling bin for glass

Garden Waste – this can be used by local authorities and recycled and often gardening bins are provided to recycle grass cuttings and the like.

In some local authorities many of the above items can be placed in the same recycling bin, in others separate recycling bins are provided (in one local council in the UK – nine different recycling bins have been supplied to residents) so it is important to check what can go in each bin.

Most of us have a rubbish bin sat at the front of the house. There must be millions of them up and down the country but other than on rubbish day when someone comes round to empty them, few of us ever give the bin a second thought.

However, there are people who have looked at bins and thought, ‛Hmm, now here’s an idea,’ and have put the bin to some use, other than what it was designed for.

Here are some things people have done and used bins for other than for disposing of rubbish.

Bin Racing

Believe it or not, there are a whole host of racing events organised for bins. The annual wheelie bin racing championship in Thoona, Australia is a huge event and has been going for years. The idea of event is to take wheelie bins and convert them into down hill soap box carts. There are strict rules and regulations but anyone can enter an it is incredibly popular with families.

Wheeli Bin racing in Thoona

Other bin racing goes on around the world and most take a similar theme to the Thoona races but are less well organised.

Bins on ice

People in Canada have found a great use for the bin. Recycling bins and other receptacles are often used as sledges and ice carts. In areas all over Canada young children and families can be seen having fun in these make shift receptacles. A good though if you are to have a go yourself – make sure its empty.

Babies in bins

It is sadly all too common for new born babies to be left in bins too. Often its by mothers who can’t cope and they are often place din bins near hospitals. Because of the growing number of babies left like this, baby bins have been introduced in Germany which are secure and heated enclosures designed for confused mothers to leave their babies in. Many of the children left in the these bins are often reunited with their mothers soon after so the project seem to be effective.

More sinister things bins

Unfortunately because most of use never give the rubbish or litter bin a second thought all sorts of sinister items have been deposited in rubbish bins. Bodies (and parts of), guns and explosives have also been deposited in rubbish bins.

There was a time that most of us had only one bin. A large plastic or metal container that sat in the back yard or alley. All our household waste would end up in this dustbin, which was conveniently emptied, without contention, every week.

But times move on and now with more and more emphasis on recycling and with local authorities trying to minimise waste disposal, the number of bins householders require has now increased.

Recycling bins are a vital tool for any household that is recycling as they separate conventional waste with recyclable items. And they are numerous in type too with recycling bins for paper, glass, cans; gardening bins, composting bins, nappy bins.

And with so many different types of recycling bin and differing requirements for recycling. It can be confusing to decide what and how many recycling bins are needed.

But there are products out there that can make life easier and some can even help save money as well as the environment.

Recycling bins for bottles, glass and cans

There is really no need for this type of bin at home but for businesses or institutions these are important to ensure people separate the recyclable items that are commonly consumed in these environments. And don’t forget, tins and cans can even be redeemed for cash if they are of the right metal.

Household recycling bin

Householders will often be supplied with recycling bins outside for the external waste. Different councils provide different bins for different waste but there should be clear notice of what materials should be disposed of in each. For indoor use a good recycling bin for the kitchen is probably a good idea. Some of these have several compartments so its easy to separate was when it first gets thrown away.

And if you have a new born, are expecting, or work in the child care industry. A good quality nappy bin is essential. By returning to washable nappies you can dramatically reduce your waste as well as save a fortune on disposable nappies an diapers. Large capacity nappy bins are available that can handle even the busiest nursery or child care setting.

Whatever type of recycling bin is required you should ensure its a good quality recycling bin and from a reputable supplier. There are really three things to remember when you are looking for recycling bins: It should be well manufactured; Practical and modern in design; Have a good quality lid that fits to prevents smells.

Every single day, some 8 million disposable nappies are thrown out. This makes up four percent of all household waste, and most of it ends on land fills and takes years to degrade.

And while disposable nappies are quick and easy to use they are also expensive with a new born child easily costing between £2,000-£4,000 ($3,500 – $7,500) on disposable nappies and diapers alone.

And washable nappies are not as bothersome, cumbersome or messy as you may imagine. In fact, changing a washable nappy can be just as quick and easy as changing a disposable. Of course, they have to be washed but a weeks worth of nappies can easily fit in one load of most modern washing machines and if you cut down on unnecessary softeners and detergents you can minimise any environmental impact.

The only thing required is a good quality nappy bin. And even if you work in the service industry, social or care surrounding, or nursery and kindergarten settings, there is no need to have soiled nappies lying about and the washing machine on constantly.

A modern large capacity nappy bin can easily store a weeks worth of nappies, even from the busiest service industry setting. And if the nappy bin is well built and from a reputable supplier of nappy bins then it can store soiled nappies and diapers without any smells or mess.

Some modern nappy bins even have chutes for added hygiene and discretion.

The only other requirements for returning to washable nappies are a good supply of safety pins, although modern reusable sticky seals can be used for those fearing accidents with pins. And some modern washable nappies come with their own adhesion and attaching mechanism, so the old fashioned safety pin need not be used at all.

By returning to washable nappies, not only will it make a dramaitc difference to the waste that piles up in our land fills but the cost savings of using washable nappies and diapers can be staggering, especially in the service and care industry.

We probably have one in each room of the house and yet very rarely give them a seconds thought but the humble waste bin is an important part of keeping our homes clean and tidy and without them we may find ourselves knee deep in rubbish before we know it.

Yet the different types of rubbish bin used around the home are quite numerous as each bin has to work in a different environment. Waste bins are far more than just receptacles for rubbish a lot more thought goes into them than that.

Take the external waste bin, often called the dustbin or garbage can. These bins have to be large enough to hold an entire household’s waste for a week or in some locales – two weeks.

External bins therefore have to obtain certain criteria to function. If waste is to sit in them all week then they need to have a good string lid that will not only keep the smells in the bin but prevent vermin from entering the bin and making a mess. External bins need also to be functional which is why the growing trend is for wheelie bins. Wheelie bins make it a lot easier for refuse collectors to transport the bin from the front of our homes to the rubbish collection vehicle (bin lorry).

Many of us are now recycle much of our rubbish which probably means not only do we have an external bin for our household waste but also we have recycling bins for different types of recyclable rubbish. Gardening bins for instance are the same as normal wheelie bins or external bins but more -often-than-not they are painted green to help distinguish them. Other recycling bins are used externally too and often they are colour coded too.

And indoors we have recycling bins also. Many kitchen bins are now accompanied with multi-section colour coded recycling bins. Like regular Kitchen bins they have to have a good lid too to prevent smells from leaking out and making the kitchen stink.

But kitchen bins, recycling bins and wheelie bins are only part of the story. Other bins around the home have to have different functionality too. The living room bin for instance often need to be more stylish than regular bins (as we do have to look at them every day) and designer bins are now common. Sanitary bins are often used in bathrooms as they are more hygienic to hold waste that often contains body waste, while the humble waste paper bin is perhaps the simplest of all but then it doesn’t need to protect us from smells or unhygienic waste.

Each year in the UK alone, 22.5 million tonnes of waste is thrown in rubbish bins or waste bins around the home and office. All this waste has to be managed and waste management is of vital importance to ensure we are not all knee-deep in rubbish.

Waste management is becoming increasingly more important as government’s across the globe are trying to reduce the impact of waste on the environment. But what happens to all that rubbish that ends up in our waste bins and wheelie bins?

There are only really three methods for disposing of waste that we throw into our rubbish bins:

Landfill
Recycling
Incineration

And there are advantages and disadvantages in each method of waste management.

Landfills: land fills are either holes in the ground that are naturally forged such as canyons or ravines; holes forged by former industrial processes like mines or quarries; or just mounds where rubbish we place in our waste bins piles up.

Land fills are not necessarily detrimental to the environment. While they do create greenhouse gases such as methane, this is actually offering potential benefits as not only can the methane be captured to prevent it damaging the environment but also it can be used as a method of creating energy.

And while it is true that landfills can cause pollutants to enter the water table. Land fills can be covered over once used and the land can be converted into nature parks which can offset any damage the original land fill had on the environment.

Recycling: recycling is not just done at home by separating our rubbish by using a recycling bin. Much of what ends up in our conventional waste bin is now being recycled by waste management teams. And while recycling is obviously good for the environment, there are detrimental effects too. Some of our waste is exported abroad in vast quantities to be recycled but this can have harmful effects due to the carbon costs of transportation and the damage to local environment where the rubbish ends up, as often these are developing nations that have less stringent environmental rules.

Incineration: Incineration is perhaps the most environmentally unfriendly method of getting rid of the rubbish in our waste bins. Unfortunately, there are many nations that are forced to incinerate a lot of rubbish due to constraints in land space. The only alternative is to ship the rubbish abroad which is not only financially costly but also has environmental costs too.

Recycling has become a big industry over recent years. Not only are more and more people opting to recycle to ease their environmental conscience but also many local authorities and councils are insisting that residents and businesses start recycling. And fines and penalty notices are now being handed out to home and business owners who fail to do so.

There are now numerous recycling suppliers selling all sorts of recycling products such as the recycling bin. However, with so much variety on the market it can be quite difficult to establish the type of recycling bin that is required for your home or business.

There are a large number of recycling bins available for both the office and home and choosing the right bin can often depend on the circumstances but there are some key things to remember when buying a bin for home recycling or an office recycling bin:

*    Recycling bins are often sold in different colours to conventional waste bins This allows the users to easily distinguish between what is meant for recycling and what is normal rubbish. Different colours are often used to denote the different recycling materials such as green for garden recycling, brown for glass, white for paper, blue for kitchen waste etc. It doesn’t matter which colour you nominate for which material just as long as everybody that uses the bin is aware of the colour scheme.

*    If you only have space for one recycling bin then you can buy bins that have sperate compartments for the different recycled materials.

*    Some local authorities collect recycled material along with the other household waste so it is a good idea to ensure your bin is large enough to cope with all your recycling between collections. If a bin is too small then people may be tempted to dispose of the recycled material in a conventional waste bin which could lead to a fine in some local authorities.

*    Composting is a great method of disposing and recycling kitchen waste. Compact kitchen composers are available that can store and compost kitchen scraps while large compost bins are available to handle all the garden waste that can be recycled to provide plant feed.

Recycling bins are becoming ever increasingly more important so it is important you select the right recycling bin for your home or businesses.