UK commercial waste comes in four common wheelie-bin sizes — 240, 360, 660 and 1,100 litres — and picking the right one is the single biggest lever on your waste bill. This guide covers each bin’s capacity, dimensions and typical price per lift, so you can match the bin to what your business actually throws away instead of paying for empty space.
Key takeaways
- The four standard commercial sizes are 240L, 360L, 660L and 1,100L.
- 240L and 360L are two-wheel bins; 660L and 1,100L are larger four-wheel containers.
- Right-sizing matters more than the headline rate — a half-empty bin is wasted money every lift.
- Dimensions decide whether a bin fits your storage area and access route — check before you order.
- Larger bins cost more per lift but less per litre of capacity, so fewer collections of a bigger bin can be cheaper.
Commercial bin sizes and dimensions at a glance
Dimensions below are typical for standard EN 840 commercial wheelie bins; exact figures vary slightly by manufacturer. Capacity is shown as a rough guide in standard refuse sacks.
| Bin | Height × Width × Depth | Rough capacity | Wheels |
|---|---|---|---|
| 240 litre | ~1070 × 580 × 740 mm | ~3–4 refuse sacks | 2 |
| 360 litre | ~1100 × 620 × 865 mm | ~5–6 refuse sacks | 2 |
| 660 litre | ~1210 × 1370 × 780 mm | ~8–10 refuse sacks | 4 |
| 1,100 litre | ~1470 × 1370 × 1070 mm | ~14–15 refuse sacks | 4 |
Commercial bin prices per lift
Price is driven by bin size, how often it is emptied and the waste type. The ranges below are indicative general-waste rates for 2026 — a benchmark, not a quote. Recycling streams usually cost less per lift.
| Bin size | Best for | Indicative cost per lift |
|---|---|---|
| 240 litre | Small shop, office, salon | £5–£12 |
| 360 litre | Busy office, small café | £8–£15 |
| 660 litre | Café, small restaurant | £10–£20 |
| 1,100 litre | Restaurant, larger premises | £15–£35 |
Which bin size do you actually need?
A rough rule: if your bin is overflowing before collection, size up or add a lift; if it is half-empty, size down or reduce frequency. The goal is a bin close to full on collection day — that is where cost per litre is lowest.
Two-wheel vs four-wheel bins
The 240L and 360L are two-wheel bins that suit tight storage areas and lower volumes. The 660L and 1,100L are four-wheel containers that need more space and a flat access route for the collection crew, but cost far less per litre of capacity — which is why higher-volume sites move to them as they grow.
How we source these figures
Dimensions are typical EN 840 values and vary by manufacturer; prices are indicative UK market ranges for benchmarking, not live quotes. Reviewed 2026.
Not sure which bin size is costing you money?
Send us your current waste invoice and we will check whether your bin size and frequency match your real volumes — and benchmark the rate against the market.
Right-size my waste binFrequently asked questions
What are the standard commercial bin sizes in the UK?+
The four common commercial wheelie-bin sizes are 240, 360, 660 and 1,100 litres. The 240L and 360L are two-wheel bins for lower volumes; the 660L and 1,100L are larger four-wheel containers for higher-volume sites.
What are the dimensions of a 1,100 litre commercial bin?+
A standard 1,100-litre four-wheel commercial bin is roughly 1,470 mm high, 1,370 mm wide and 1,070 mm deep, though exact dimensions vary by manufacturer. Check the footprint against your storage area and access route before ordering.
How much does a commercial bin cost to empty?+
Indicatively in 2026, general-waste lifts run from around £5–£12 for a 240-litre bin up to £15–£35 for a 1,100-litre bin, depending on frequency, waste type, region and access. Recycling streams usually cost less per lift.
How do I choose the right commercial bin size?+
Match the bin to how full it is on collection day. If it overflows, size up or add a collection; if it is regularly half-empty, size down or reduce frequency. A bin close to full at collection gives the lowest cost per litre.
About this guide
The mybusinessdeals energy team benchmarks UK business gas and electricity contracts against the whole market.