How Often Are Bins Collected?
Bin collection frequency depends on the type of bin, your business needs, and the waste volume you generate. Waster offers a wide range of service options to suit different sites — from small offices to large industrial facilities.
✅ Standard Collection Frequency Options
For most bin types, the following service schedules are available:
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3-weekly (every 21 days) – suited for smaller sites with low waste volumes.
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Fortnightly (every 14 days) – good for moderate, non-perishable waste streams.
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Weekly (once a week) – the most common option for businesses of all sizes.
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2x weekly – popular for food businesses, cafés, and busy offices.
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3x weekly – for higher-volume sites like supermarkets or schools.
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4x or more weekly – ideal for large businesses or high-waste industries requiring daily or near-daily pickups.
✅ Factors That Determine Collection Frequency
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Waste type – organic waste (food and garden) usually requires more frequent collections due to odours, while cardboard may be collected less often.
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Business type – cafés, restaurants, and hospitality venues usually need multiple weekly pickups, whereas offices may only need weekly or fortnightly service.
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Bin size – larger bins can reduce the need for frequent pickups, but smaller bins fill up faster.
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Regulations – food businesses and medical facilities may face stricter requirements for waste removal.
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Budget – balancing cost and convenience helps choose the right schedule.
❌ Common Misunderstandings
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“Bins are only collected weekly.” – Waster offers flexible options from 3-weekly to multiple times a week.
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“All bins must be serviced on the same schedule.” – Different waste streams can have different collection frequencies (e.g. cardboard fortnightly, general waste twice a week).
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“More frequent collections are always better.” – Overservicing can increase costs unnecessarily if bins aren’t full.
Household Context
For households, council bins are typically collected weekly (general waste) and fortnightly (recycling/organics). Waster’s collection options are designed for businesses, with more flexibility to suit higher waste volumes.
Quick Reference
| Frequency | Best Suited For |
|---|---|
| 3-weekly | Low-volume, dry waste (small offices, light cardboard use) |
| Fortnightly | Moderate waste, low perishables |
| Weekly | Standard service for most businesses |
| 2x weekly | Food businesses, cafés, small hospitality sites |
| 3x weekly | Schools, supermarkets, busy hospitality |
| 4x+ weekly | Large facilities, high-waste industries, daily needs |
Best Practices Summary
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Match collection frequency to waste type and volume.
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Monitor bin fill levels to avoid overservicing or under-servicing.
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Remember different bins can have different collection schedules.
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Contact Waster if you need to adjust frequency as your business grows or changes.
Conclusion: Flexible Services to Match Your Needs
Waster offers flexible bin collection schedules — from 3-weekly to daily services. By choosing the right frequency for your waste type and business, you’ll keep costs down, avoid overflow, and maintain a clean, compliant site.
👉 Check out your options here in our online shop.