Purchasing guide: How to choose the right recycling bin for your company?

As environmental awareness continues to grow, proper waste disposal has become more important than ever. With the introduction of new waste management legislation, it’s now crucial for companies to follow updated recycling guidelines and regulations. Manutan has over 4,000 products and solutions available! Recycling bins, food waste bins, outdoor containers, green bins, office waste bins… When faced with such a wide choice of products, you may feel a little lost. Find out how to choose the waste sorting bin that suits your company’s needs.

How to set up waste sorting in the workplace

Implementing a waste sorting policy in the workplace has to be seen as a genuine company project that involves the teams. It’s not only a question of thinking about where to set up the containers, as well as the organisation and the collection methods of items, but also about their daily management and how to raise awareness among employees.

What is selective sorting?

Selective sorting refers to the action of sorting waste according to its nature (cardboard, paper, metal, glass, wood, etc.). This makes it easier to process and recycle items.
Unsorted rubbish is what is polluting the planet. It’s not uncommon to find packaging, bottles and other waste at the end of their life out in nature. However, lots of materials can be recycled, such as metal, to name but one. Every company should therefore sort its waste.

Introducing selective sorting at your company

Each employee must feel committed to waste sorting for it to really be effective. It’s therefore a good idea to explain the point of the sorting process to employees during some sociable “off” time together. This might include:

• A trip to a recycling centre as a team;
• A seminar to raise awareness of environmental protection;
• A “recycling” workshop with a waste facilitator;
• A competition for the best sorter;
• Educational posters showing the products and their destination bins;

It is also advised to put some time aside to get the teams involved in managing this project (possible solutions, placement of containers, etc.). Sorting waste will then turn into a habit for everybody and not a constraint.

If you want to find out how to integrate a more sustainable approach at your company, see our purchasing guide on new eco-friendly products for offices and warehouses.

Asking the right questions before choosing your waste sorting bins

Before deciding on one model or another, it is vital for companies to work out what their needs are, even if it’s “just” a question of buying indoor waste sorting bins.
To help them define what they are looking for in terms of waste sorting bins, here are some questions they can ask themselves:

• How many people will use the bins?
• What are the expected volumes of waste?
• Which types of waste will they contain (glass, paper, plastic, food products or other)?
• What are the selective sorting and recycling obligations?
• How are the cleaning and waste collection providers organised?
• Is there already a waste management policy in the company (colour codes, unity between sites, etc.)?

It also helps to extend their thinking process beyond the users of the waste sorting bins (those who fill it) by including the challenges of waste collection, cleaning and safety in their considerations. In short, it is advisable that companies treat how they choose their waste sorting bins as a real project.

Choosing your company’s selective waste sorting bin: The criteria to consider

Choosing the right waste sorting bin for a company involves several factors, including technical, economic, operational, and aesthetic considerations. Here’s a simplified checklist for selecting the right bin:

1. Capacity: Based on the number of users and collection frequency.
2. Size: Depends on available space.
3. Material: Choose based on location (indoor, outdoor, office, workshop).
4. Color: Should align with the sorting policy and company image.
5. Design: Opt for a sleek design if the bin is visible.
6. Installation: Consider heavy bins or ones fixed to reduce theft, or mounted bins for easy cleaning.
7. Bin Bag: With or without a bag.
8. Safety: Must meet fire protection and safety regulations.
9. Standards: Follow relevant standards like fire protection and HACCP.

Other factors to consider:

1. Quality Control: Transparent bins to monitor waste levels and quality.
2. CSR: Consider bins made from recycled materials to support the company’s environmental goals.
3. Handling: Look for bins with handles, wheels, or the ability to stack them.
4. Accessories: Features like wheels, handles, or specialized lids for specific waste types.
5. Specific Needs: Don’t forget bins for hazardous items, batteries, or ashtrays.
6. Price: Choose based on your budget for recycling solutions.

Choosing a selective waste sorting bin that is relevant to your company

Once the company has a complete overview of its needs and the different characteristics that must be factored in, it can look at the following criteria to assess how relevant its choice is.

Corporate waste sorting bin: Which size to choose

When choosing a waste sorting bin, practical factors play a key role, especially in terms of bin shape and size.

For office bins that are emptied daily, they need to fit easily under a desk or drawer unit, so they should be no taller than a few dozen centimetres. Lightweight, discreet basket-type bins are ideal for this.

In contrast, a kitchen waste bin in a company restaurant can be taller to prevent splashes and save floor space while offering the same volume. Adding a wheeled base can also make cleaning easier.

Ultimately, it’s up to the company to find the “ideal bin,” balancing capacity, dimensions, shape (round, rectangular, etc.), and any necessary accessories.

A robust waste sorting bin that is well-suited to its environment

Everyone wants a waste sorting bin that lasts, so it’s important to choose a durable option. The material choice depends on the bin’s use and location, as different environments may require different materials.

Plastic is generally more impact-resistant than metal, making it ideal for harsh environments like workshops. However, plastic can become brittle when exposed to sunlight or cold, unless treated for outdoor use. Metal, on the other hand, is better for outdoor settings, as long as it’s rust-resistant.

Hybrid options also work well for certain needs. For example, an outdoor bin with a wooden shell around a plastic or metal inner bin can offer both durability and aesthetic appeal. A plastic bin concealed in furniture can also last for years, as seen in fast food restaurants.

In short, the most durable waste sorting bin is the one best suited to its environment!

Some helpful accessories for your company’s waste sorting bins

As well as bin bags, which are much more than just accessories, there are lots of helpful solutions that can improve the efficiency of a company recycling bin.

Wheels

Directly built into the waste sorting bin or in the form of a rolling tray, castors make it easier to transport and move bins around during waste collection.

Bases

Most often specific to a model, bases allow the waste sorting bin to be mounted to make it easier to use, collect and clean the premises (as the bin is mounted at a height). This is the ideal solution for the photocopier, the coffee machine or the workbench.

Special openings

These lids have a cut-out opening, called a slot, that suits the waste to be collected (batteries, ink cartridges, coffee capsules, cans, cups, paper, etc.) or a funnel shape to make life easier for people who might be a bit clumsy!

Odourproof kits

As with toilets, it is possible to add capsules, perfume diffusers or even filters (activated carbon) to avoid unpleasant odours.

Slow-closing lids

Slow-closing lids save time when disposing of waste, but also reduce the lid closing noise to zero, as it can be annoying for employees working near the collection point.

Lid locks and fasteners

To prevent the theft of waste sorting bins that are located in public, unsupervised places or to reduce their use (depending on the occupancy of the premises, for example, or as part of the security provisions in force), it is advised to opt for lid locks and fasteners.

Interchangeable and coloured lids

Companies can also adjust and personalise their waste sorting bins by using the different colours of the interchangeable lids.
Choosing the right waste sorting bin is often something that is overlooked in companies. However, well-thought-out and implemented waste management is an essential aspect of an effective CSR policy.
Discover our range of products “Waste Separation”.