Maidstone Borough Council is making improvements to how litter bins are managed across several parks to keep green spaces cleaner, safer and more sustainable. The changes are now underway in Mote Park and Cobtree Manor.

To prevent the common problem of bins overfilling and to make bin locations easier to find, smaller 90‑litre bins inside the park will be replaced with larger 1100‑litre bins positioned at entrances, exits and key spots such as the café and play area. In total, this provides an additional 8,460 litres of capacity, significantly reducing the likelihood of overflow during busy periods.

By moving to larger, edge‑of‑park bins, the Council will cut vehicle movements within the park, improving safety for visitors (including dogs) and reducing carbon emissions associated with bin servicing. Clear directional signage and updated maps will help everyone quickly locate the new bin points.

Visitors will see new bins installed over the coming weeks. As with any layout change, it may take 2–3 months for park users to fully adjust, but these improvements are designed to make Mote Park cleaner, safer and more sustainable for the long term.

The Council’s fully electric refuse truck, “Binosaurus Rex”  will service the new larger bins at key public sites including Mote Park, helping to lower emissions and support our climate commitments.

Councillor Clive English, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Enforcement, said: “Data from recent months shows that small, scattered bins couldn’t handle peak demand. Consolidating capacity at entrances, exits and busy areas dramatically cuts servicing trips and the risk to visitors, while keeping our green spaces tidy. 

“This upgrade will make our parks cleaner and safer while reducing emissions. Larger bins placed where people need them most, combined with clear signage, mean fewer vehicle movements inside our parks and a better experience for everyone.”

Source & picture credit: Maidstone District Council