Bin Size Guide by Industry (Australia)

Choosing the right bin size keeps costs down and prevents messy overflows. Use this quick guide to match bins and pickups to your industry.

Offices and professional services

• Common mix: 240L general (weekly/fortnightly), 240L commingled (weekly), 240L cardboard (weekly).
• Upgrade trigger: Overflow two weeks in a row-move to 360L or 660L.
• Tip: Centralised bins reduce contamination and total volume.

Hospitality (cafes, restaurants, bars)

• General: 360L-660L, 3-4x weekly depending on covers.
• Recycling: 240L-360L for bottles/cans; keep liquids out.
• Organics: 240L, 3x weekly to control odour.
• Grease trap: Set pump-out to council/utility schedule; keep logs.

Retail and shopping centres

• General: 660L 2-3x weekly.
• Cardboard: 660L or 1100L; consider a baler if producing multiple 1100L loads weekly.
• Commingled: 360L-660L for staff areas and customer returns.

Light industrial and warehouses

• Front-lift: 1.5m^3-3.0m^3 for general waste; 2-3 pickups weekly.
• Cardboard: 1100L bins or baler depending on volume.
• Metals: Separate for rebate where possible.

Construction and trades

• Skips: 3m^3-6m^3 for short-term fitouts.
• Front-lift: 3.0m^3 for ongoing sites with easy truck access.
• Plasterboard/metal: Separate streams reduce disposal fees.

Multi-site operators

• Standardise bin types and service days across locations.
• Set KPIs: <10% overflow events per month; <5% contamination in recycling.
• Review data monthly and adjust frequencies, not just sizes.

Not sure where to start? Share your weekly waste photos or rough volumes and we'll recommend a bin mix in under a day. Contact us or explore bin sizes by waste type.