EC20 Bin Washing Systems: How Much Could You Be Saving?

EC20 Bin Washing Systems: How Much Could You Be Saving?

At IWM, we've spent over 40 years designing, supplying and installing industrial washing and hygiene equipment for businesses across the UK and beyond. Our EC20 Eurobin, Vemag and Buggy Washer is one of our most popular bin washing systems, and it's easy to see why. It's built to deliver consistently clean bins, inside and out, in a way that's safe, reliable and far more efficient than washing by hand. 

We've supplied this bin wash system to customers in over 20 countries, and the current standard model takes both 200 and 300 litre variants without any adjustment needed.

Why Our Customers Choose the EC20

The EC20 uses a fully inverted wash position within the cabinet, so the undercarriage and wheels get properly washed and sanitised on every cycle. This also removes the need for operators to manually manipulate bins for hand hosing or draining, cutting the risk of injury and reducing the wear and tear that manual cleaning can cause to factory floors.

Every EC20 we install comes fitted with the latest Siemens Operator Interface as standard. It's straightforward to use and gives full diagnostic analytics, along with useful machine data and manual information at the touch of a button. With sustainability firmly in mind, our in-house electrical design team has developed an easy-to-use monitoring system for the machine. You simply input your own energy and water charge rates, and it tracks usage continuously, giving you an accurate, ongoing operational cost for every wash.

How Much Does Manual Bin Washing Actually Cost?

Water Usage

A medium-pressure hose used for manual bin washing typically flows at around 8 to 15 litres per minute, depending on nozzle and pressure. Washing 10 eurobins per hour usually means actively spraying for 3 to 5 minutes per bin, including rinsing. A good working estimate is around 50 litres per 200L eurobin, or roughly 500 litres per hour at that rate. That's about half a cubic metre of water an hour, every hour, every shift.

The Total Cost Breakdown

Once you factor in labour, water and sewerage, heating the water, detergent and general equipment wear, manual washing typically costs somewhere between £21.50 and £36.50 per hour, or £2.15 to £3.65 per bin. Heating the water often costs more than the water itself, adding another 10 to 30p per bin depending on the temperature rise and fuel type used.

How Does the EC20 Compare?

Using our own EC20 monitoring system, we've run extensive trials and cost analysis across our sites. Even accounting for high UK utility costs, the EC20 can wash up to 15 standard eurobins per hour from as little as £1.25 per unit. That's a 50% increase in throughput over manual washing, alongside a more sustainable use of energy and water, and a consistently thorough hot water sanitisation process.

What Return on Investment Can You Expect from EC20?

Taking the mid-point of the manual washing estimate at £2.90 per bin against the EC20's £1.25, that's a saving of £1.65 for every single bin washed. Washing 15 bins an hour over a typical 8-hour shift saves just under £200 per shift. For a food factory running two shifts a day, six days a week, that adds up to approximately £2,400 saved per week. On that basis, most of our customers see a return on investment in under six months.

Frequently Asked Questions about EC20

Can the EC20 wash both 200 and 300 litre eurobins?

Yes, the standard EC20 bin wash system accommodates both 200 and 300 litre variants without any adjustment required.

Does manual bin washing really cost more than using a binwasher?

Yes, once labour, water, heating and detergent are all factored in, manual washing typically works out at £2.15 to £3.65 per bin, compared to as little as £1.25 per bin with the EC20.

How quickly does a bin wash system pay for itself?

Usually within six months. Based on average savings of £1.65 per bin, a two-shift operation running six days a week can save around £2,400 a week, which adds up quickly.

Speak With Our Team About the EC20

We design, supply, install and service every EC20 we sell, and our team can talk you through how it would work on your site, including flexible finance and leasing options if that helps. If you'd like to see how much your business could save on bin washing, get in touch with IWM today.