Following a successful 3-month trial back in 2011, Aberdeen City Council decided to roll-out 83 Bigbelly smart bins in high traffic areas throughout the city, replacing over 120 of their standard litter bins that require multiple collections per day.

Since 2011, ACC has seen great benefits of the Bigbelly system, showcasing exactly what can be achieved when the technology is used effectively.

ACC achieved the following results from the initial installation:

• 93% reduction in collections
• 35,428 operative hours saved
• Overflows eliminated

Regeneration Project

Fast forward to 2026, with a new multi-million pound regeneration project underway, Aberdeen has installed a new fleet of our Bigbelly Smart Max stations with the goal of preserving the city’s unique qualities and heritage while also creating a more welcoming and sustainable city. These smart stations have been rolled out across Union Street with the aim of reducing litter and keeping this busy street welcoming from morning to night. Achieving such impressive results is possible thanks to various built-in features including the fully enclosed hopper, eliminating pest access and ensuring safe and secure litter disposal.

Aberdeen is embracing the future of waste management with this new installation in the City Centre. Each bin features different sites and buildings around the city that have earned Aberdeen the title of the ‘Granite City’. This commitment to investment and innovation ensures a more efficient and sustainable waste management system that will benefit residents, visitors, businesses and the environment.

A Cleaner Experience for Shoppers and Visitors

Overflowing bins can quickly affect the appearance of a town or city. Keeping public waste management systems under closer observation can help reduce overflowing waste and maintain a more welcoming environment for the public and business owners passing through the street day in and day out.

Footfall on the streets of Aberdeen can vary considerably throughout the year, meaning some bins may fill much quicker than others. By using the live remote dashboard, operatives can respond to these changes and take action before overflows happen.

The installation also supports the wider move towards using technology to improve everyday operational services. By combining traditional waste management with real-time data, Aberdeen can work towards a more targeted and efficient approach to keeping its high street clean.

For people using the city centre on a daily basis, the most noticeable benefit should simply be a cleaner and more welcoming high street environment. For businesses and waste management teams, the longer-term value will come from better information, improved collection efficiencies and more optimised operations.

Technology with a Visible Impact

The introduction of our Bigbelly smart bins represents another step towards a more connected and data-driven approach to managing Aberdeen’s public spaces. By making the most of the system and its technology, smart waste infrastructure is playing an important role in supporting cleaner, smarter, more efficient streets and a more pleasant experience for everyone visiting the city.

We are proud to be working with Aberdeen to improve the streetscape and we look forward to seeing the results of this project.

Want to learn how Future Street can help your city? Get in touch today.