Inside the Manufacture of 1,000 Bespoke Litter Bins for Leeds City Centre

Wybone recently completed the manufacture of 1,000 bespoke MLB/112 Eco litter bins for Leeds City Council as part of a major city centre improvement programme. Designed and manufactured in the UK, each unit incorporated bespoke branding, laser-cut artwork, custom detailing and durable construction. The project demonstrates how British manufacturing and collaborative design can create waste infrastructure that is both practical and visually distinctive.

Manufacturing 1,000 bespoke litter bins is about far more than increasing production volumes. It requires careful planning, close collaboration and the ability to consistently deliver a high-quality product that meets a customer's exact requirements.

Wybone recently completed the manufacture of 1,000 bespoke MLB/112 Eco litter bins for Leeds City Council, supporting the city's investment in cleaner, more attractive public spaces. Designed specifically for the project, every bin was manufactured at our Barnsley facility before being delivered and installed across Leeds city centre.

Designed Around the Project

Rather than supplying a standard product, each MLB/112 Eco litter bin was manufactured to reflect the identity of both Leeds City Council and the Litter Free Leeds campaign.

Every unit incorporated a number of bespoke features, including:

- Bespoke black powder-coated finish with gold detailing

- Leeds City Council branding

- Laser-cut Swoopy the Owl emblem, created by Bradford artist Shiraaz Ali

- Custom Litter Free Leeds graphics

- Integrated QR codes linking to campaign information

- Rod-assisted self-closing ashtray

- Durable hot-dipped galvanised steel construction

These bespoke details transformed the bins into more than simply waste containers—they became recognisable pieces of street furniture that support the city's wider environmental messaging.

Collaboration from Factory to Street

The project was delivered in partnership with Leeds City Council and Litter Free Leeds, whose work encourages residents and visitors to take greater pride in the city's public spaces.

As production progressed, representatives from both organisations visited Wybone's manufacturing facility to see the bins being produced and gain an insight into the manufacturing process. During the visit, they also helped apply the bespoke vinyl graphics to a selection of the finished units before installation.

It was a valuable opportunity to showcase British manufacturing while highlighting the collaboration behind a project of this scale.

Manufacturing at Scale

Producing 1,000 bespoke units required careful coordination across every stage of manufacture.

From laser cutting and fabrication through to galvanising, powder coating, assembly and final inspection, each bin was manufactured to the same high standard while incorporating the project's bespoke branding and detailing.

Manufacturing in-house allowed Wybone to maintain quality throughout production, respond to project requirements and ensure consistency across all 1,000 units.

Helping Shape Better Public Spaces

The completed bins are now installed throughout Leeds city centre, providing a durable, high-capacity waste solution while contributing to a consistent and recognisable streetscape.

The project demonstrates how thoughtful design and bespoke manufacturing can enhance everyday public infrastructure. By combining functionality with local identity, councils can invest in waste management solutions that not only improve operational efficiency but also contribute positively to the places people live, work and visit.

As a UK manufacturer with over 50 years of experience, Wybone continues to work with local authorities and organisations across the UK to deliver bespoke waste management and street furniture solutions that are designed around the needs of each individual project.