40 Years at the Tower: Reflecting on Our Long-Standing Partnership with a British Icon

This year marks 40 years since Wybone first supplied bins to the Tower of London—and to say we’re proud of that partnership would be an understatement.

Back in the early 1980s, we were asked to deliver a waste management solution that would blend seamlessly into one of the UK’s most iconic and historic landmarks. The bins had to be robust enough to handle millions of visitors every year, stylish enough not to detract from the centuries of architecture surrounding them, and long-lasting enough to make the investment worthwhile. Not a small ask—but it was exactly the kind of challenge we thrive on.

Where It All Began: GFC Bins at the Tower of London

Our first ever installation at the Tower featured our then new TLFO (Tower of London, Front Opening) black and gold litter bins made from glass fibre composite (GFC). These bins were chosen because they offered the visual appeal of traditional cast iron, but with none of the downsides. GFC doesn’t rust, it’s significantly lighter to handle, and it holds up brilliantly in harsh outdoor environments—which is exactly what the Tower of London presents, with its mix of stone courtyards, riverbank wind, and year-round crowds. The bins were designed to be post-mounted, and specifically developed for the Tower of London to mount onto the horizontal fencing posts already in place. 

Those early GFC bins lasted for over 25 years on-site before any replacements were needed. That’s a remarkable lifespan, even by modern standards, and it speaks volumes about the materials and craftsmanship we built into them. GFC has remained a core part of our range ever since, and installations like this are a big part of why.

Evolving with the Site: Recycling, Storage & Wooden Units

As the needs of the site evolved, so did our relationship with the Tower. Recycling became a priority. Visitor numbers increased. Heritage expectations grew stricter. And that’s where our newer wood-clad WTS/8 bins came into play.

These units are a blend of strength and heritage styling. At their core, they’re made from hot-dipped galvanised steel, which means they’re corrosion-resistant and strong enough to handle public use day in, day out. But they’re clad in Iroko hardwood—a beautiful, durable timber that ages naturally and complements the historic surroundings without ever looking out of place.

The Tower of London installed a number of these wooden WTS/8 bins to support on-site recycling, giving visitors an easy way to dispose of waste responsibly. Because they’re available in single, double, or triple compartments, they can be tailored to the waste streams needed. A typical double unit, for example, holds around 196 litres, split evenly across two waste types. And with their self-locking doors, stainless steel hinges, and easy-access liners, they’re practical for staff and discreet for visitors.

We also supplied bin storage and housing units—essentially enclosures that keep large wheeled bins out of sight. In a site like the Tower, where visual harmony is paramount, you can’t just park a bright green wheelie bin in the middle of a courtyard. These enclosures are powder-coated steel with pitched lids, helping to shed rainwater while offering a clean, professional look. And they’ve got built-in fire safety and pest prevention benefits too—important considerations when you’ve got thousands of visitors and a few curious ravens roaming the grounds.

Material Innovation: Anti-Vandal and Anti-Vape Sticker Features

More recently, we’ve developed coatings and textures that prevent vandalism and surface defacement. It might sound niche, but it’s a genuine problem. Over the last few years, we’ve seen a sharp rise in things like single-use vape stickers—small promotional labels that people stick on public bins, leaving behind visual mess and sticky residue that’s hard to remove.

To combat this, many of our bins now include an anti-fly-poster dimpled surface—a textured finish that makes it difficult for stickers to properly adhere. And for flat or smooth sections, we’ve introduced a clear anti-adhesive coating that acts like a non-stick layer for labels, paint, and even chewing gum. These coatings are hydrophobic, repel adhesives, and allow easy cleaning without damaging the surface beneath.

At the Tower of London, these innovations have helped maintain the visual integrity of the site—even when thousands of people are moving through daily, bringing modern littering habits with them. It’s all about ensuring the bins do their job quietly and effectively, without drawing attention or becoming part of the problem.

A Design That Blends In—and Lasts

What’s been consistent across all of these projects is the care taken to match the look and feel of the Tower’s surroundings. Whether it’s black and gold detailing, subtle logos from Historic Royal Palaces, or the use of silvered hardwood instead of synthetic panels, we’ve always understood that in a place like this, design matters just as much as function.

It’s not just about waste disposal—it’s about respecting a space that’s been part of British history for nearly a thousand years.

Looking Back—and Forward

Forty years is a long time to be working with any site, let alone one with such stature. The Tower of London is more than a landmark—it’s a living museum, a Royal residence, a military base, and a national treasure. And we’re honoured to have contributed to keeping it clean, safe, and respectful of its past.

We’re not the kind of company to shout about our successes—but this one felt worth marking. From those original GFC bins to today’s advanced wooden-clad recycling units, this partnership has been built on trust, craftsmanship, and a shared respect for history.

Here’s to the next 40 years.