How is a wheelie bin made?

by Craig Pryce August 13, 2021

Wheelie bins are a common sight outside houses and businesses across the country and they reliably store waste and recycling for many years with minimal fuss.

Their reliability is down to how they are manufactured and the materials they are made from.

In this blog post, we’ll explore how wheelie bins are made — both plastic and metal versions.

How plastic wheelie bins are made

A surprisingly basic process, plastic wheelie bins are injection moulded from HDPE (high-density polyethylene) in two parts — the main body and the lid.

In this process, plastic pellets from a silo are melted and then injected with force into a metal mould cavity.

Once the mould is filled, the plastic cools and solidifies, and the moulded pieces are then removed from the moulds and assembled into the quality bins we all use daily.

Then, rubber wheels are added to a metal axle or axles and mounted to the underneath of the bin.

This process is used for all plastic two-wheeled bins and four-wheeled bins, unless there are other design features to be included.

Next, bins are often sent for printing with council or waste management company logos.

How metal wheelie bins are made

A large metal wheelie bin outdoors

This wheelie bin material requires a different manufacturing process to the HDPE bins.

Having said that, the lids for metal bins are often plastic and are therefore created using the injection moulding process outlined above.

So, what are metal bins made of? This varies between manufacturers, but ours are made from galvanised steel which, in our opinion, is the best material for the job.

Metal wheelie bins are crafted from sheets of metal, which are then welded together.

For quality when purchasing metal wheelie bins, look for internally welded seams which prevent water penetration and related corrosion issues.

Once the body of a bin is constructed, it is hot-dip galvanised, which contributes greatly to the lifetime value that metal bins offer.

Next, customisation takes place — whether that’s powder-coated body colour or custom embossing.

Finally, the axles, wheels and plastic lid are added, and the wheelie bin is complete and ready for delivery.

Please note that the manufacturing process differs slightly when there are options such as a drop-front or back to consider.

Our wheelie bins

An orange 770-litre HDPE plastic wheelie bin

We stock high quality plastic and metal wheelie bins in a wide range of sizes and colours; we can also supply fully customised bins for local authorities and waste management companies, whether you require 10 bins or 10,000.

All of our bins are made from the best materials, such as HDPE which is resistant to UV radiation, extreme weather, heat, cold, and chemicals.

This material results in a hard-wearing, long-lasting bin that performs throughout the seasons and in any setting.

You can explore our full range of wheelie bins on our website and please don’t hesitate to get in touch today if you have any questions about our products, availability, delivery, customisation, or anything else.

Craig Pryce

With over 17 years of experience in the waste and recycling industry, Craig is passionate about making recycling easier and reducing the negative impact of litter. He has been the managing director of Wheelie Bin Solutions (WBS) since January 2016, and prides the company on his expert knowledge, top-quality products, and customer service. His proudest moment was when WBS supported the 2012 Olympic Games, working in partnership with Contenur UK to supply over 9000 bin containers to all Olympic venues. Craig is always keen to share his knowledge, so whether you need advice about the benefits of a wheelie bin lock, or ideas for alternative uses for your wheelie bin, Craig will ensure your recycling and waste disposal habits are gold medal worthy.