Commercial bin sizes explained: 140L to 1100L
Most Dublin businesses need one of four bin sizes: 140L, 240L, 360L, 660L or 1100L. The right one depends on how much waste you produce, how heavy it is, and how much space you have to store it. The 140L, 240L and 360L bins are two-wheeled, like a household bin. The 660L and 1100L are four-wheeled bulk bins with a flat or domed lid, built for busier sites.
Get the size right and you pay for fewer lifts and fewer overflowing bins. Get it wrong and you either pay to empty half-full bins or end up with bags on the ground.
Commercial bin sizes at a glance
Bin size |
Typical size (H × W × D) |
Wheels |
Holds roughly |
Rated max load |
Good for |
| 240L | 1.07m × 0.58m × 0.73m | 2 | 3–4 bin bags | about 96kg | Small offices, cafés, food waste, glass |
| 360L | 1.10m × 0.60m × 0.88m | 2 | 5–6 bin bags | about 144kg | Small shops, busier cafés, salons |
| 660L | 1.25–1.35m × 1.26–1.37m × 0.72–0.85m | 4 castors | 9–10 bin bags | about 264kg | Restaurants, medium offices, retail units |
| 1100L | 1.37–1.47m × 1.26–1.37m × 1.00–1.20m | 4 castors | 16–18 bin bags | about 440kg | Hotels, large retail, manufacturing, apartment blocks |
Sizes are typical figures for bins made to the European standard EN 840 and vary by a few centimetres between manufacturers. Bag counts assume a standard 60–70 litre black sack, loosely filled. Rated max load is the manufacturer’s safe working load, not a collection allowance.
How to choose the right bin size
- Start with volume. Count how many bags of each waste type you fill in a typical week. Divide by the bag count in the table and you have the number of bin-lifts you need. Ten bags of general waste a week is one 660L bin lifted weekly. Twenty bags is one 1100L, or a 660L lifted twice.
- Then check the weight. Glass and food waste are heavy for their size. A full 1100L bin of glass would be far too heavy to move safely, so glass and food waste go in 240L/360L bins, even on large sites.
- Measure your space and access. The 660L and 1100L bins are about 1.3m wide. That’s wider than a standard doorway (around 0.8–0.9m), so they need a gate, roller door or open yard to get to the collection point. They also need a smooth, level route to the truck: castors don’t like steps, gravel or steep ramps.
- Match the frequency. A bigger bin collected less often usually costs less than a small bin collected more often. The exception is food waste, which should be collected at least weekly to keep smells and pests down. We offer weekly, fortnightly, monthly, one-off and on-demand collections. Service can be tailored to suit your needs.
Which bin for which waste stream
Waste stream |
Usual bin size |
Why |
| General waste | 660L or 1100L | High volume, moderate weight |
| Dry mixed recycling | 660L or 1100L | Bulky but light |
| Cardboard and paper | 1100L | Very bulky; flatten boxes first. High volumes may suit a baler (see our cardboard baler guide) |
| Food waste (brown bin) | 240L | Heavy, and needs regular collection |
| Glass | 240L | Very heavy for its size |
If your business produces food waste, you’re legally required to keep it separate from general waste. Our guide to food waste regulations for businesses explains what applies to you.
Worked example: a 40-seat café
A café that fills about 15 bags of general waste and 10 bags of recycling a week, plus a steady pile of delivery boxes and a daily caddy of food scraps, might need:
- 1 × 1100L general waste, collected weekly
- 1 × 660L dry mixed recycling, collected weekly
- 1 × 1100L cardboard, collected weekly
- 1 × 240L food waste, collected weekly
- 1 × 240L glass, collected fortnightly
Your sales advisor will size this properly after a quick site visit or a chat about your volumes.
FAQ
What is the most common commercial bin size?
The 1100L bin is the most common size for general waste and recycling at businesses with regular volumes. Smaller businesses often start with 240L or 360L bins.
Will an 1100L bin fit through a normal door?
How many bags fit in an 1100L bin?
Around 16 to 18 standard black sacks, depending on how full the bags are.
Can I change my bin size later?
Yes. If your volumes go up or down, we can swap your bins for a different size.
How is commercial bin collection charged?
Your quote shows the price for each bin and collection frequency, excluding VAT.
Get the right bins for your business
Not sure what you need? Our commercial team will look at your volumes and space and recommend a mix of bins that keeps costs down. Call 01 568 6540, email commercial@greyhoundrecycling.com or request a quote.
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