[Source: Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils].

Ed Sheerbin, Gary Bineker and Stranger Bins are amongst the winning names for Babergh and Mid Suffolk’s new environmentally friendly bin lorries, revealed this week.

Earlier this year, people across Babergh and Mid Suffolk, were invited to submit names for the councils’ 22 brand-new bin lorries.

The two-week long competition saw over 400 individual name suggestions sent into the councils – with locals of all ages, from villages to towns, all getting in on the fun.

The councils’ crews and waste team then had the challenge of choosing just 22 – picking their favourites from a shortlist of just over 30 names.

Set to make their collection debuts in just a matter of days, the councils have now revealed the winning names:

  • Ed Sheerbin
    Submitted by Margaret Sparkes
  • Gary Bineker
    Submitted by Gavin Pullen
  • Stranger Bins
    Submitted by Spencer Brown
  • Chitty Chitty Bin Bin
    Submitted by Belinda Betham 
  • The Binbetweeners
    Submitted by Ben Griffin 
  • Strictly Come Binning
    Submitted by Peter Batte 
  • Binderella
    Submitted by Jemima Jackson (16 or under) of Hadleigh Community Primary School 
  • Trashosaurus
    Submitted by Xavier Mack (16 or under) of Yorley Barn Nursery, Little Cornard 
  • Mission Binpossible
    Submitted by Amber Friend (16 or under) of East Bergholt VCP School 
  • The Binner Takes It All
    Submitted by Patrick Nicholls (16 or under) of Littlegarth Nursery, Nayland 
  • Lord of the Bins
    Submitted by Lexi Underhay (16 or under) 
  • Beauty and the Bin
    Submitted by Erin Millin (16 or under) of Hartismere High School 
  • Waste warriors
    Submitted by Alyse Driver, on behalf of Year 5 pupils at Wood Ley Primary School, Stowmarket 
  • Bin here, there, everywhere
    Submitted by Jake Fullam (16 or under) of Norton Primary School 
  • Binnie the Pooh
    Submitted by Trudy Jackson 
  • Bincredible Hulk
    Submitted by Jason Alexander 
  • The Adventures of Binbin
    Submitted by Maxine Smith 
  • Binin’ in the Rain
    Submitted by Simon Coulson 
  • Bindiana Jones
    Submitted by Antony Price 
  • To Binfinity and Beyond
    Submitted by David John Carruthers 
  • Mary Popbins
    Submitted by Jason Alexander 
  • Gone with the Bin
    Submitted by Sarah Carruthers

Where multiple entries of the same name were received, a winner was chosen at random. Winners will be invited to see some of the lorries in action up close, and meet crew members in early 2023 – as well as having local bragging rights when they see a lorry go past!

The competition was launched to mark the councils’ biggest upgrade to their 35-strong waste fleet in almost 10 years – an investment of £2m*.

22 brand new environmentally friendly bin lorries, will replace many of their current lorries, having emptied around a combined 40 million bins over their working lifetimes.

They will be fuelled by certified sustainable Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) produced from waste cooking oil, after Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils became the first rural UK councils to switch to the fuel last year. This will enable them to continue slashing their carbon emissions by up to 90%, as well as reducing other pollutants.

Cllr Elisabeth Malvisi, cabinet member for environment at Babergh District Council, said: 

“We have been absolutely bowled over by the response to our competition from residents of all ages – who’ve showcased their wordplay skills.

“We know that many in our community anticipate the arrival of our bin crews. They carry out over 100,000 collections every week, and we hope that the new lorries’ names and colourful designs will provide some light fun for everyone.

“Collecting your bin is one of our most visible jobs. And, as you’d expect, having a modern and reliable fleet is essential.  The lorries are also playing a key role in reducing our carbon emissions after we became the first rural councils in the UK to use HVO fuel last year.”

Cllr Jessica Fleming, cabinet member for environment at Mid Suffolk District Council, said:

“The response from residents taking part in the competition has been absolutely fantastic. We never anticipated being faced with the difficult challenge of choosing just 22 names from over 400 suggestions that were put forward!

“Whether you’re your street’s binfluencer or one of our youngest residents eagerly awaiting the lorries’ arrival every week – bin collections matter to everyone across our districts.

“We hope that the names will provide a bit of fun for all while we carry out this vital job, which of course depends on us having a modern and reliable fleet.

“Keep a look out for the new lorries over coming days!”