Wheelie bins and pedal bins in the UAE: which size do you need? (30L to 240L)

By Marcolo · Last updated October 2026

Choosing a bin sounds simple until you are standing in front of eight sizes. Too small and you are emptying it twice a day; too big and it takes over the kitchen, and waste sits for longer than it should in a hot climate. This guide explains which capacity suits each room and household, the difference between pedal bins, push-top bins and wheelie bins, and how the sizes in the Marcolo waste bins collection compare.

Quick answer: which bin size do you need?

• 15L to 20L: bathrooms, bedrooms and under a desk.
• 30L: a small kitchen, a studio or a one-bedroom apartment for one or two people.
• 50L to 60L: the main kitchen bin for a family of three to five.
• 80L to 100L: large families, shared offices, majlis and party areas, and small cafes.
• 120L: the outdoor bin for a townhouse or villa, or back-of-house in a shop or restaurant.
• 240L: large villas, residential buildings, schools, restaurants and events.

These are practical starting points. If you cook at home every day, have a baby in nappies or empty the bin less often, go one size up.

Pedal bin, push-top bin or wheelie bin?

Pedal bins

A foot pedal lifts the lid, so you never touch it with your hands. That makes a pedal bin the usual choice for kitchens and bathrooms. The lid closes fully, which helps to keep smells in. Our Keep-In pedal bins come in 15L, 20L and 30L, and the larger pedal bins run from 30L to 100L.

Push-top bins

A push-top (swing lid) bin opens with a light push and closes on its own. It is quick to use in offices, corridors, reception areas and gardens. Our push-top bins are UV-resistant and come in 20L, 30L, 40L and 60L.

Wheelie bins

Wheelie bins have two wheels and a handle, so one person can move a full bin to the collection point. Ours are made from UV-resistant HDPE and have a foot pedal, either on the side or in the centre, so the lid still opens hands-free. They come in 100L, 120L and 240L.

Size comparison table

Prices and sizes are taken from our product pages at the time of writing. Check the product page for the current price and colours.

Choosing by room

Kitchen

Most of a home's waste comes from the kitchen. For one or two people a 30L pedal bin is usually enough. A family of three to five is better served by the 50L pedal bin. Measure the space first: the 50L needs a footprint of about 40 × 38 cm and the lid needs room to open above its 56.8 cm height.

Bathroom and bedroom

A 15L or 20L pedal bin is plenty and fits beside a vanity or toilet. A closed lid matters more here than capacity.

Balcony, garage and outdoors

Outdoor bins sit in direct sun, so choose a UV-resistant material. A wheeled bin is worth it as soon as you have to move the waste any distance. The 100L wheeled bin weighs 6.5 kg empty, the 120L side-pedal bin 8.2 kg and the 240L side-pedal bin 10.8 kg, and all of them roll on two wheels.

Offices, shops and restaurants

Use push-top bins where people pass quickly, and wheeled pedal bins in kitchens and back-of-house. The heavy-duty central-pedal bins (8.8 kg at 120L and 14.6 kg at 240L) are built for constant daily use. If you are sorting waste, buy the same size in different colours: the wheeled bins come in black, grey and green.

Side pedal or central pedal?

On a side-pedal bin the pedal sits to one side of the front, which keeps the bin lighter and lower in price. On a central-pedal bin the pedal is in the middle and the bin itself is heavier, which suits commercial kitchens and shared bin rooms where the bin is opened many times a day.

Tips for bins in the UAE climate

• Empty food waste daily in summer. Heat speeds up smells, whatever the size of the bin.
• Keep outdoor bins in shade where you can, and always keep the lid closed.
• Rinse regularly. Polypropylene and HDPE bins can be washed with water and mild soap.
• Match the bin liner to the capacity. A liner that is too small slips into the bin.
• Do not oversize an indoor bin. A bin that takes a week to fill will smell before it is full.

Related collections

Browse all sizes in Waste & Recycling, or keep the rest of the house in order with storage boxes and laundry solutions.

Frequently asked questions

What size bin do I need for a kitchen?

For one or two people a 30L bin is usually enough. A family of three to five is better with 50L to 60L, and large families or shared kitchens with 80L to 100L.

What is the difference between a 120L and a 240L wheelie bin?

A 240L bin holds twice as much and has a larger footprint: our side-pedal models measure 58 × 49 × 95 cm at 120L and 70 × 56.5 × 101 cm at 240L. A 120L bin suits a townhouse or villa, while 240L suits large villas, buildings and businesses.

Can these bins be left outdoors in the UAE sun?

The wheeled bins are made from UV-resistant HDPE and the push-top bins are UV-resistant, so they are suitable for outdoor use. Shade and a closed lid will still help any bin last longer.

Do the wheelie bins have a foot pedal?

Yes. The 100L, 120L and 240L wheeled bins all have a foot pedal, either at the side or in the centre, so you can open the lid hands-free.

How long does delivery take?

Orders placed before 3 PM are delivered the next day in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman, and in 2 to 3 days elsewhere in the UAE. Delivery is free on orders of AED 189 and above and AED 12 below that. You can return an unused item in its original packaging within 14 days, with free pickup.

Not sure which size fits? Message us on WhatsApp at +971 50 527 7576 and we will help you choose.