Office Waste Management Adelaide: Right Bin Size for Every Office

Adelaide's office market stretches from high-rise towers on King William Street to converted warehouses in Bowden and business parks in Mawson Lakes. Every office produces waste, but the volume and type varies dramatically depending on headcount, industry, and how much printing still happens.

Getting the right bin setup saves money and keeps your tenancy compliant with building management rules. Here is a practical guide based on what we see across Adelaide offices.

How much waste does an office actually produce?

The general rule for Australian offices:

• 1–10 staff: 240L general waste, weekly collection
• 10–30 staff: 660L general waste, weekly collection
• 30–80 staff: 1100L general waste, weekly collection
• 80+ staff: multiple 1100L bins or twice-weekly collection

These numbers assume a typical mix of paper, packaging, food scraps from lunch, and general rubbish. If your office runs paperless, you may drop a size. If you have a kitchen or break room serving 50 people daily, add a size.

Bin sizes and pricing for Adelaide offices

All prices include delivery, weekly collection, and bin maintenance. No lock-in contracts.

Adelaide office precincts — what we see

CBD (King William St, Pirie St, Flinders St): Most CBD offices share building waste compactors, but many smaller tenancies in older buildings need their own bins. A 240L or 660L in the loading dock or bin bay is standard. Check with your building manager — some mandate a specific waste contractor, but many allow tenants to arrange their own.

Kent Town / Norwood: Converted terrace offices and small professional suites. Usually 240L is enough. Access can be tight on narrow laneways — we confirm bin placement before delivery.

Mile End / Thebarton / Torrensville: Warehouse conversions and creative studios. Often share a bin bay with neighbouring tenants. 660L is the most common here.

Mawson Lakes / Technology Park: Purpose-built offices with generous bin bays. IT companies and research firms here tend to run lean on waste — 240L covers most.

Port Adelaide / Hindmarsh: Mixed commercial and light industrial. Offices adjacent to workshops often share a 1100L. If you are the only office tenant, 240L or 660L will do.

Cardboard and paper recycling

Adelaide offices generate significant cardboard from deliveries and paper from printing. We offer dedicated cardboard and paper recycling bins at a flat rate of $24.30 inc GST per lift regardless of bin size — substantially cheaper than general waste.

If your office receives regular deliveries (IT equipment, stationery, supplies), adding a dedicated cardboard bin reduces your general waste volume and saves money overall.

Tips to reduce office waste costs

1. Go one size smaller and increase frequency if needed — a 240L collected twice weekly costs $78/week, versus a 660L once weekly at $53. Start with the smaller option and upsize only if the bin consistently overflows.
2. Separate cardboard — it is cheaper to collect separately and reduces general waste bin fills.
3. Check your building agreement — some CBD buildings include waste in outgoings. Do not pay twice.
4. Bin placement matters — bins need to be accessible for the collection truck. Ground floor, loading dock, or street-side bin bays work. Upper floors do not.

Get started

Request a free quote for your Adelaide office. We will recommend the right size based on your headcount and waste profile.