Bin Capacity Planning Calculator

Work out bin capacity planning instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Bin Capacity Planning Calculator

Bin capacity must hold the waste accumulated between collections: weekly mass divided by collection frequency, converted to volume through the in-bin density of about 100-150 kg/m3 for uncompacted residual waste. Reducing collection frequency directly increases the container volume required.

Formula

Bin volume

Volume per collection = households x waste per household / frequency / in-bin density

Worked example

With the default values below, Bin Capacity Planning Calculator returns Bin Volume Required Per Collection of 40.000. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Households Servedminimum 0: 400
Waste Per Householdminimum 0 kg/week: 12 kg/week
Collections Per Weekminimum 0: 1
Waste Density In Binminimum 0 kg/m3: 120 kg/m3

Results

Bin Volume Required Per Collection: 40.000
Litres Per Household: 100.00
Mass Per Collection: 4,800.00
1100 Litre Containers Required: 37

Step by step

1Values used
2Bin volume
3Bin Volume Required Per Collection= 40.000
4Litres Per Household= 100.00
5Mass Per Collection= 4,800.00
61100 Litre Containers Required= 37

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax or fees or charges into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 3 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does fortnightly collection need bigger bins?

Because two weeks of waste must be stored. Authorities moving to fortnightly residual collection typically pair it with weekly food waste collection to control odour and vermin, and larger recycling capacity.

What density should be assumed?

Around 100-150 kg/m3 for loose residual waste in wheeled bins, higher where food waste is included and lower for dry recyclables, which can be as low as 40-60 kg/m3 for mixed plastics and cans.