Our range of concrete bins provides a variety of aesthetic design options with different functionalities. In this article we will have a look at a few important reasons why we believe concrete bins are a perfect fit in city centres and in any business. We will cover some of the many benefits they can provide and how they can alter a public space for the better. We, at StreetScape, are extremely passionate about creating beautiful, litter-free locations across our nation.
8 Reasons Why Our Concrete Bins Are Ideal In City Centres
Concrete bins are an amazing option for use in city centres for a variety of reasons. We will touch on their durability, aesthetic appeal, and low maintenance requirements below:
Extremely Durable: Concrete is an exceptionally sturdy and long-lasting building material. This makes it a perfect choice for spaces that often experience high foot traffic and frequent use. Our Concrete bins are capable of withstanding any accidental bumps or knocks, harsh weather conditions, and attempted vandalism. Compared to other materials like metal or plastic, concrete is significantly more resistant to damage.
Little to No Maintenance: Concrete bins are super low maintenance, only occasionally needing cleaning and upkeep. They are very simple to clean and any graffiti, or other forms of vandalism, can be quite easily removed using a pressure washer. This means that maintenance costs are very low, especially when compared to bins created using other materials.
Aesthetic appeal: Our concrete bins come in a plethora of shapes and sizes to fit any need. They can also be painted to match the surrounding aesthetic easily. They can be made to blend in or can be accentuated with designs or colours to stand out in the space.
Larger Capacity: Our bins have a much larger capacity than most other types of bins, meaning much more litter can be placed into them before they need to be emptied. This saves money and time for the waste removal companies as they don’t need to be emptied as frequently. It also results in less likelihood of the bin overflowing and the litter spilling out onto the roads.
Discourages Irresponsible Waste Disposal: When bins are placed in sensible locations that are clearly visible, it encourages individuals to responsibly dispose of their waste. Ultimately, this hugely reduces the chances of people littering in public spaces. When they can see that there is a well-maintained, clean bin close by – the perceived effort needed to throw trash away is a lot less. This assists in keeping city centres looking clean and tidy.
They are Easy to Spot: Our bins can have reflective tape placed around them or be painted in bright colours, making them even easier to notice in a busy setting. This helps to reduce the build-up of litter on the pavements, reducing the possibility of unpleasant odours or tripping risks. Increased visibility also further reduces the likelihood of people littering and should encourage them to use the bins provided.
They are Fire-Resistant: Concrete is an entirely non-combustible material, making it an especially safe choice for public spaces where fires are a possibility. They should help to prevent fires in the first place – possibly by discarded cigarettes or other flammable materials. Our Pyramid Ash Concrete Bin style is created specifically for this very purpose!
They are a Cost-Effective Option: Our concrete range of bins ends up being an affordable choice for use in city centres – this is because they are durable and require almost no maintenance, reducing the need for replacing them frequently. The enhanced longevity of our bins can save cities a significant amount of money over time, which allows municipalities to focus their resources on other areas that also need it.
To summarise, concrete bins are an amazingly practical option for any city centre, providing impressive longevity, customisation, fire-resistance and many other desirable qualities. This is a great way to make sure that our cities are looking immaculate and that the environment is protected from our litter.
Why Concrete Is An Excellent Building Material
Concrete is often considered to be the perfect building medium – let’s look at why this is the case and how it compares to other materials like plastics or metal.
One of the obvious advantages for concrete is its durability. It is highly resistant to most damage from heavy usage, fire and intense weather. Making it a great choice when creating objects that are required to withstand the test of time. Unlike its metal and plastic counterparts, which can be prone to degradation and corrosion long-term, concrete will maintain its integrity and strength for decades, or even centuries. This is why it is such a popular choice for the creation of bridges, buildings and other large infrastructure projects.
Another major benefit of concrete is its endless versatility. It can be shaped or moulded into basically any shape and size, allowing for an unlimited number of design possibilities. Concrete can be further reinforced with steel or other materials to increase its already impressive sturdiness and stability. A little known fact about concrete is that it is substantially better for the environment than the use of plastics or metals – which can be very difficult to recycle. On the other hand, concrete can be very easily recycled and reused which makes it an environmentally friendly alternative for any project.
7 Reasons to Consider Our Concrete Bins for Your Business
We’ve covered some of the reasons that concrete bins suit city centres so well – let’s have a look at why you should think about investing in our bins for your business:
They are very Secure: Concrete bins are especially tough to steal or vandalise, which makes them a great option for businesses that need to secure their waste – hospitals are a good example, or other businesses where waste may be toxic or a biohazard. Their durability and weight make them significantly harder to damage or move than bins made using other materials. This will provide an enhanced level of security for businesses that deal with confidential or dangerous waste.
Weather Resistance: Our concrete bins are super-resistant to damage from harsh weather conditions such as high winds, storms, or heavy rainfall. This makes them a great choice for businesses located in areas where weather is more of an issue. This also applies to extended UV radiation exposure – as concrete is able to withstand direct sunlight for many years without signs of degradation.
Versatility: Our range of bins can be used for a multitude of purposes, from commercial waste collection to composting or recycling. They can also be customised with different openings or lids to suit the needs and aesthetic of your business. If needed, they can be fitted with a locking mechanism to prevent unwanted access. A good example of this from our range is the Baboon Concrete Bin that has been specifically designed to make sure baboons cannot access the waste inside.
Reduced Odours: Concrete is substantially less likely to retain bad odours than other types of materials. This is the case because concrete is a porous medium that allows air to circulate freely through it, which greatly reduces the possibility of it holding onto unpleasant aromas. This makes them great for businesses that frequently deal with food waste.
Improved Pest Control: Concrete bins are far less attractive to common pests like rats or mice, as they do not provide access to the waste or offer shelter. Concrete cannot be chewed-through in the way that plastic can. This reduces the chances of infestations in the business, creating a cleaner and more pleasant space for customers and staff alike. On top of this, they are far easier to sanitise and clean, which reduces the likelihood of bacteria or fungal growth.
Ideal for Flammable Waste: As we touched on earlier, concrete is super-resistant to fire – this makes our bins a safer alternative for businesses that regularly deal with waste that is flammable. This reduces the chances of a fire starting and assists companies in terms of complying with health and safety regulations. Additionally, these types of bins do not create toxic fumes even if they do catch fire. Lessening the risk of harm to customers and the environment.
Aesthetics: Concrete can be painted or decorated in whichever way suits the look or design of your business. They can be painted or finished to match your business’s aesthetics or branding – or even customised with logos and other branding elements. This should help to promote and create a more cohesive visual appearance inside your establishment. Or if it is preferred, they can be made to blend into the surroundings, rather than stand out.
Interesting Facts About Concrete
Concrete is an intriguing building material that has been used by civilisations all across the world, for centuries. The ancient Romans were the first society to use it in their constructions, including the Colosseum in Rome. In fact, the Romans developed a far stronger kind of concrete than has ever been discovered since – incorporating volcanic ash into the concrete mixture.
One of the craziest examples of what can be achieved using concrete is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. This building is the tallest in the world at the moment, by quite a margin, standing at 828 metres tall. It is made almost exclusively out of concrete – which helps it to remain stable even through intense winds and weather conditions.
Another little-known fact is that researchers have developed a type of concrete that is capable of self-healing. This is possible by using a kind of bacteria that actually produce limestone. If the concrete eventually cracks, this activates the bacteria and encourages them to produce limestone, filling in the crack. This restores the structural integrity of the building and ensures that there is no collapse. This may end up being the future of concrete construction projects because, in theory, these buildings should be able to last forever.
More About Streetscape
We are a high-quality manufacturer of urban landscaping elements based out of Cape Town. We have many years of experience under our belt and we believe ourselves to be at the pinnacle of our industry. Some of our products include concrete and steel bins, planters, benches, kerbing, steps, signage and wall coping. We are sure we have all of your manufacturing needs covered and we provide only the highest-quality products and installation.
If you have an urban landscaping project that you need advice around or are wondering which product may best suit your needs, do not hesitate to contact us for assistance. We provide tailored service to ensure that our customers end up with an even more beautiful urban space than they initially imagined. Contact StreetScape today and bring your dream projects into reality!