How to dispose of a wheelie bin

by Craig Pryce July 17, 2020

Wheelie bins are usually used to store your rubbish and recycling, but what if it’s the wheelie bin itself that you need to dispose of?

If you have an old wheelie bin that is no longer fit for purpose, you have several options available to you.

Alternatively, your wheelie bin might still be in working order but your local council has withdrawn its service in favour of recycling sacks or boxes. Or perhaps you have a garden waste bin you never use.

In many areas across the UK, garden waste collections have become chargeable over the past few years and this has resulted in excess bins for households.

For example, in Bradford, only a third of the households that had brown garden waste bins signed up for the paid garden waste collections in 2018. That resulted in around 55,000 wheelie bins no longer in use in Bradford alone!

Whatever your situation, in this article we’ll explore your options so you can make an informed decision.

Fix your wheelie bin

If the only reason you can no longer use your wheelie bin as a bin is that it’s broken, why not have a go at fixing it? You’ll save yourself hassle and money if you do.

Broken hinges, handles and lids can all be fixed quickly, easily, and at little expense.

If you’re not very DIY-minded, head to YouTube where you’ll find loads of videos showing you how to get the job done.

broken metal wheelie bin and cats

Reuse your wheelie bin

Instead of getting rid of your wheelie bin, you could repurpose it.

A quick option would be to use your bin to store things outdoors — from firewood and pet feed, to patio cushions and garden toys.

If there’s something you need to keep dry in the damp seasons, a wheelie bin is ideal.

If you make some small alternations to your waste container, it can become a wide range of new things — including a water butt, a compost bin or worm farm, a wheelbarrow, a planter, and even a go-kart!

The only limit is your imagination.

Return it to the council

If your bin is a council-provided bin, you can report a damaged waste container and they will replace it.

Local authorities often collect the old bin when they deliver the replacement. Do bear in mind though that this is usually a chargeable service.

Recycle your wheelie bin

If your recycling wheelie bin is too broken to be fixed and you no longer have a use for it, then it's time for it to be passed on to someone else who can use it.

Otherwise, it needs to be sent for recycling.

There are several companies in the UK that recycle HDPE wheelie bins; however, most seem to have a minimum collection limit, meaning they won’t collect one or two bins from your home address or business premises.

Some of these companies are working with local councils and waste management companies though, so make sure to contact them about recycling your old bin.

Whatever you do, don’t be tempted to fly tip your old or damaged bin.

Not only is fly tipping illegal but it is terrible for the environment and causes problems for someone else further down the line — not to mention wildlife.

If you are needing to replace an old or broken bin, then you can explore a wide range of wheelie bins on our site. We sell plastic and metal bins in a large selection of sizes.

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.