It is one of the most iconic pieces of household furniture that is found today in millions of homes across the UK – but one which is now the single most important cog in the UK’s waste management strategy.
Since its humble beginnings in the early 70’s, the wheelie bin has become a vital fixture in homes across the world. Its early use was primarily for commercial purposes to help transport materials from one place to another. However, its ergonomic design quickly caught the eye of council officers looking for a better solution for household waste disposal. Not only could they carry more waste and be transported easily, but the wheeled design meant that it would reduce the back injuries suffered by refuse collectors who were lifting the metal bins that were common at the time.
European standards
In the 80’s, the wheelie bin became increasingly popular in millions of houses across the UK. The design of the wheelie bin therefore had to evolve to accommodate the vans which collected the waste. The bins had to be lifted by the lip at the front which had to be designed for maximum rigidness and mechanical strength. The underside of the lip was therefore reinforced by numerous ribs in the case of the thermoplastic bins. The early standard for these bins was the German DIN Standard 30740 and DIN 30700 parts 1 + 2 and later RAL-RG 723/2. Today, the specification of wheelie bins is now governed by the European Standard EN840, Part 1 of which covers the construction and dimensions of two wheeled bins with a range of capacities.
Although the bins can come in a variety of sizes, today, the 240 litre bins are the most common size.
Wheelie bins and Waste management strategy
Across the UK, many local authorities made wheelie bins at the core of their waste management strategies. Recycling of waste material has become of the most critical and key issues facing the UK today. By recycling, the amount of waste that is traditionally sent to landfill is greatly reduced. In addition, all recycled material can then be re-used into new and practical objects for everyday use. Therefore, a wheelie bin is the perfect product that can be effectively used for facilitating the recycling process. This is the reason why the UK’s largest wheeled bin manufacturer, MGB Plastics, works with local authorities and waste management companies to increase awareness of these issues. MGB Plastics is also the only company in the sector that not only collects decommissioned wheelie bins but it also dismantles, recycles and reuses all of the waste material.
Next month, MGB Plastics will exhibit most advanced 240 litre wheelie bin in the UK today at the Recycling and Waste Management Exhibition on 15-17th September 2010
This innovative bin has a stronger more durable design with the availability of many optional extras such as RFID tags and printing. Since its humble beginnings three decades ago, the wheelie bin has come a long way and will continue to play a major part in leading the waste management and recycling agenda.
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