Office Waste Bins

Office Bins & Office Recycling Bins

Believe it or not, having an office recycling bin or two in your workplace can actually help to save you money. A report by the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has found that up to 80% of office waste comes in the form of paper. Lower on the list come items such as cans and plastic bottles, all of which can be recycled. By using office bins, such as the Kraf Eco Bin, for recycling everyday office waste, you can set up a company recycling strategy which, in turn, can decrease the frequency with which you'll need to have your bins emptied. This can help to reduce the costs of waste collection while allowing you to reduce your carbon footprint.

Which office waste bin do you need?

If you think this might be a step in the right direction, the next thing to consider is what types of office waste bin you need for the job. When it comes to choosing office bins from Avansas, two things are worth thinking about: who's going to be using them and who's going to be emptying them. For users, the essential things are knowing what they're for and how convenient they are to use. If you're implementing a recycling programme in your workplace, it might be worth colour-coding your bins, so everyone knows what to put in each bin. Typically, an office recycling bin is usually green in colour, denoting that only waste that is suitable for recycling can be placed in it. Office bins, such as our Rexel Choices Waste Bin, are green in colour, making it easy to see what it's being used for. Suppose you want to use colour to let staff and employees know that a bin is only for non-recyclable materials. In that case, the vibrant colouring of our Red Rexel Choices Waste Bin is sure to communicate your message without too much bother.

How many office bins are enough?

When it comes to making office bins as easy as possible to use, a lot will depend on the size of your office. Many larger businesses prefer to have an office waste bin allocated to almost every desk. Smaller companies can easily adjust the number of bins they need according to the number of staff in the workplace. However, when it comes to recycling, there's an emerging school of thought that suggests that using one designated office recycling bin per room is the best way to ensure that everything goes where it should and, for the cleaners, makes emptying them easier. However, while this might work for smaller spaces, those in larger workplaces may need a few more.

Ease of use

For cleaners, the focus is on ensuring that the bins are lightweight, easy to manipulate, easy to empty and that there's no difficulty when it comes to replacing the bin bags and liners. Again, a colour code can help ensure that the right waste finds its way into the right refuse collection areas. However, when it comes to ease of use, choosing bins with handles or grips might seem like a small concession, but it can go a long way to helping your cleaning team get the job done quickly and efficiently. Office bins, such as our Ark Plastic Bin and the Avery Office Waste Bin, come with two reinforced holes, allowing staff to pick them up without hurting their hands. The absence of handles ensures that they are not mistaken for buckets by you, your staff, or your customers.

Office bins with lids

However, not every office waste bin is designed for paper or recyclable cans. Certain bins are purely for food waste, whether it’s from a hastily devoured sandwich at the desk, your bathroom facilities, or in a kitchen environment. In these scenarios, a bin with a lid is the better option. Bins, such as our Bora Plastic Pedal Bin and the Rulopak Pedal Bin, are excellent choices for several reasons. 

Should an office waste bin be needed to hold waste food, the lid serves as an effective way of keeping the smell of decomposing contained. This can be important in both offices and kitchens. However, a more critical factor can be that pedal bins, such as the Ant Stainless Steel Pedal Bin, can play an active part in combatting the spread of bacteria and germs. With no need for the user to touch the bin with anything beyond their foot, these are ideal for bathroom, toilet, and kitchen facilities. They can also be worth installing in your office or workspace, should you want to minimise the transfer of bacteria. Choosing office bins made from stainless steel or plastic makes them easy to clean and uphold your hygiene standards.

Don’t waste your style

One aspect of office bins that often goes overlooked is their aesthetic properties. While a bin might not be the most glamorous of office accessories, its visual impact can affect the overall appearance of your workplace. 

Choosing colour-coded office recycling bins can be a great idea, as it instantly lets your guests, visitors, and customers know that your business has an environmental conscience. However, to complement the rest of your office décor, it’s worth ensuring that the rest of your bins are uniform in their appearance. For formal offices, a few Avansas Metal Bins are minimalist and classy enough to let your customers know that they’ve come to the right place. However, if you work in a creative environment, choosing bins such as our Purple Plastic Ark Bin can be all it takes to add a touch of flair to your surroundings.