litter bin

USAGE SUMMARY

"litter bin" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to a container specifically designed for collecting and disposing of waste or litter in public spaces. Example: "Please be sure to dispose of your trash in the designated litter bin, as we strive to keep our park clean and free from litter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

I pick it up, scowling at the kid on a bike who'd tossed it and missed the litter bin.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Overshadowed by The Streets' first appearance, The Outer Marker had all the impact of a litter bin beside a Camden Town kebab van.

Independent

Waiting for them below on a bench by a litter bin is a trembling red-faced man wrapped in a gray blanket with a sliced loaf ready on his lap.

The New Yorker

As the polls closed at 10pm on election night, he was hurrying out of the party's committee rooms in Thornton Heath when he saw "a dishevelled gentleman" going through a litter bin.

The Guardian

From the drifts of waxy, geometric paper leaves on the floor, to the dappled lighting; from the wonky litter bin, to the library table as the room's centrepiece; Boyce's room is both impressive and affecting.

The Guardian - Arts

He's clambered up on to a litter bin outside Marks & Sparks to get a good shot of the Liberal Democrat challenger, Gordon Birtwhistle, manning his regular advice/complaint/suggestion stand in the town centre.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

I lived off food from litter bins.

The Guardian

Bizarrely, I noticed that there are hardly any litter bins – and hardly any litter, either.

Independent

This Blackpool entrepreneur's £40m company makes everything from bollards to litter bins and toll booths.

The Times

My pride vanished, I looked in litter bins, I looked over walls and behind fences.

The Guardian - Books

There are no hotels, no litter bins and almost no development on these islands once treasured by Julius Ceasar.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "litter bin" when referring specifically to public receptacles for disposing of waste to maintain cleanliness in public spaces.

Common error

Avoid using "litter bin" in contexts that require specifying types of waste, such as "recycling bin" for recyclables or "compost bin" for organic waste.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "litter bin" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying a specific type of receptacle designed for public disposal of waste. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it's used to describe locations or objects related to waste management.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Litter bin" is a common noun phrase denoting a receptacle for public disposal of waste, predominantly used in the UK. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance in news and media sources. While alternatives like "trash can" and "rubbish bin" exist, "litter bin" maintains a neutral register, suitable for diverse contexts. The key is to use it to specify a container designed for keeping public spaces clean, avoiding overly specific contexts like recycling.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rubbish bin

A common British English alternative for a container intended for rubbish.

bin for litter

Reorders the words, emphasizing the bin's purpose for collecting litter.

trash can

Refers to a more general term for a container for refuse, applicable in various contexts.

garbage can

Similar to "trash can", generally used for household or commercial waste.

waste container

A broader term for any container used to hold waste materials.

refuse container

A more formal term for a container for discarding refuse.

street bin

Highlights the location of the bin, typically found on streets.

public wastebasket

Emphasizes that the wastebasket is available for public use.

dumpster

Refers to a large, typically commercial container for waste.

recycling bin

Specifically for recyclable materials like paper, plastic, and glass.

FAQs

What is the difference between "litter bin" and "rubbish bin"?

"Litter bin" and "rubbish bin" are largely interchangeable, with "litter bin" being more common in some regions and "rubbish bin" in others, particularly in British English. Both refer to containers for public disposal of waste.

When should I use "litter bin" instead of "trash can"?

Use "litter bin" when referring to a public receptacle for waste, particularly in British English contexts. "Trash can" is more common in American English and can refer to both public and private waste containers.

Is it correct to say "litter bin" or should I use another term?

Yes, "litter bin" is a correct and commonly used term, especially in the UK, for a public container for disposing of litter. You can also use "rubbish bin", "waste bin", or "street bin" depending on the context.

What can I say instead of "litter bin"?

You can use alternatives like "rubbish bin", "trash can", "waste receptacle", or "public wastebasket". The best choice depends on the specific context and regional preferences.