Frequently asked questions
Choose your topic, or simply type in a keyword. The answers here apply to all models. Information that only concerns a specific box can be found on the respective product page.
Is a garbage bin box worth it?
The questions that come before the decision.
Why have a garbage bin box at all?
Our customers most frequently mention three reasons: the bins disappear from view, they no longer tip over in storms, and the lid stays closed when animals take an interest.
Then there is the shading effect. A bin that stands in the sun all day becomes noticeably warmer inside than one placed in a box. Heat is the main cause of odor.
How much does a garbage bin box cost from you?
Each price is shown directly next to the respective box. You don't have to fill out a form or make an inquiry to see it.
The final price depends on four things: how many bins the box holds, whether it is designed for 120 or 240 liters, whether you want a lid or a planting roof, and which color you choose. As soon as you add the box to your cart, you will see the total price including all options.
Are the trash bins included in the price?
No, the bins are not included. You are buying the enclosure, not the bins.
In most municipalities, the bins belong to the waste disposal company anyway and are provided to you. Simply place your existing bins in the box.
For how many bins are boxes available, and are individual boxes available too?
Yes, there are single boxes for one bin. In addition, we build boxes for two, three, four, five, and six bins.
Not every line covers every size. On the respective product page, you can see which sets are available.
Can I add another box later?
Yes. All boxes are modular in design. You can place another box from the same line next to it at any time and connect the two.
A note about the color: For subsequent orders, minimal color variations may occur due to different material batches.
Will it fit me?
Dimensions, bins, and space requirements.
Will my garbage bin fit in the box?
In Germany and Austria, according to DIN EN 840, almost exclusively 120- and 240-liter bins are used. They fit in every BIO Stefan garbage bin box. The same applies to bins in Italy and France, as long as they do not exceed 240 liters.
There is one exception you should know about: the Dagobert for 120 liters is deliberately narrower than all the other boxes. If you want to fit a 240-liter bin in it, that is not possible.
If in doubt, measure your bin at its widest and deepest points and compare it with the clear width listed in the “Technical details” tab for the respective box. That is the binding measurement.
I have 120- and 240-liter bins. Which model should I choose?
You have two options. Either you combine boxes of different sizes side by side - this works with all product lines. Or you place the smaller bins in a box for 240 liters, which many people prefer because of the uniform appearance.
If you place a 120-liter bin in a 240-liter box, the connecting chain from the accessories connects the bin lid to the box, so it opens along with it. Order the chain to match the bin, not the box.
With a shelf insert, smaller 30- or 50-liter bins can also be positioned ergonomically, as it raises them to a comfortable height.
Where can I find the exact dimensions and package dimensions?
Overall dimensions, clear width, and weights are listed for each model in the “Technical Details” tab. You’ll find the package dimensions for transport in a car on the same product page.
All boxes are delivered disassembled in cartons, not assembled. The complete dimension drawings are included in the assembly instructions.
How much space do I need around it?
You need space in front for the open door. The depth with the door opened to 90 degrees is provided in the technical specifications for the respective box.
If the box is placed against a wall, allow around 4.5 centimetres of clearance from the wall for the version with a hinged lid so that the lid can be opened. This applies to all models.
Set up and assemble
Ground, slope, anchoring, assembly.
What type of surface is suitable?
Concrete slabs or paved surfaces are best. We do not recommend soil, crushed stone, or gravel because the box will sink and warp there.
A surface that is as level as possible is important so that the doors and lids close properly.
My parking space is sloped. Will it still work?
Yes, within certain limits. Alubert, Stahlfred, and Holzmichl have height-adjustable feet and an adjustable base rail. On Alubert, the adjustment range is between 10 and 75 millimeters; on Stahlfred and Holzmichl, it is between 15 and 60 millimeters.
If that is not enough, use several smaller modules side by side instead of one large continuous box and compensate for the slope in steps. Two 2 boxes can stand better on a slope than one 4 boxes.
Do I need to anchor the box to the ground?
We strongly recommend it. The boxes are pre-drilled in the base rails and are secured with 6 mm hammer-in anchors from the accessories. Without anchoring, strong winds can move the box.
Procedure: Fully assemble the box, place it in the desired position, mark at least two holes in the ground, drill with a 6 boxes drill bit, reposition the box, and drive in the hammer-in anchors.
You decide whether your location permits installation without anchoring. Please note that missing anchoring is excluded from the warranty.
Do I have to assemble it myself, and how much work is it?
Yes, all boxes come as kits with illustrated instructions. Assembly is easy for two people. For the Alubert, we estimate around 15 minutes per individual box.
We do not offer on-site assembly.
Can I choose which way the door and lid open?
Yes, and it’s worth doing before you start screwing. The doors can be hinged on the left or right, except for the Alubert. The boxes are built as mirror images for this purpose.
With Stahlfred and Holzmichl, you can also mount the lid the other way around. This allows you to fill the bin conveniently from the garden side and remove it from the street side. Please note: With this installation method, the lid can no longer be locked.
Where can I find my assembly instructions?
You will receive it three times: in the order confirmation, in the shipping confirmation, and as a QR code on package 1.
Please also check older email addresses. PayPal and similar services often have addresses on file that are rarely checked. All instructions are also available for download.
Everyday life with the box
Collection, full bin, odor, weather.
Will the waste collection service empty my bin if it is in the box?
No, and that is the most important point of all. The box is a storage space, not a collection service.
In almost all municipalities, you are responsible for placing the bin at the roadside where it is clearly visible and freely accessible. Waste collection services do not open doors or retrieve bins from an enclosure. Anything that has not been put out will remain there.
So the process is the same as without a box: On collection day, roll the bin out; after it has been emptied, put it back. Choose the door and lid direction so that this route is as short and straight as possible.
How do I get the full bin out of the box?
Just like usual: You grab the bin handle and pull it out on its wheels. The bottom of the box is open, so the bin stands directly on your surface and rolls across the area it normally uses.
Two things make this noticeably easier. First, the door's hinge side, so you pull it straight out instead of around the corner. Second, with Stahlfred and Holzmichl, the reversed lid mounting, which lets you remove the bin from the street side.
To be honest: A full 240-liter bin is heavy. The box does not take the weight off your hands; it is simply designed not to get in your way.
Does it smell in the box, and will it attract animals?
A box is not an odor filter, but it helps in the right way. It blocks direct sunlight, and the open base, together with the ventilation slots, ensures air circulation. Cooler and drier means less odor.
What mainly helps against animals is the closed lid. It prevents birds, martens, or cats from getting to the contents and scattering them.
What happens in the bin still depends on your waste. Only the measures you take inside the bin itself can help against maggots and strong summer odors.
What happens in the rain, snow, and storms?
The lid is tilted forward so rainwater runs off instead of trickling down the building facade. The housings have a weather-resistant coating.
Anchoring the box to the ground helps protect it against storms. A bolted-down box stays in place even when the bins nearby are blown over.
In winter, the most important thing is to put the bin out the evening before. Otherwise, snow and ice can make getting it to the street in the morning a problem.
Materials, care, and warranty
How long the box lasts and what is covered.
Does the box rust?
All product lines are designed for corrosion protection. Stahlfred and Holzmichl are made of hot-dip galvanized steel with a powder coating, while Alubert is made of powder-coated aluminum with A2 stainless steel and galvanized steel. Dagobert features a 35-micron organic coating on Z225 hot-dip galvanized sheet metal, tested for corrosion and UV resistance according to RC4 and RUV4 under EN 10169.
Our warranty explicitly covers rust-through of sheet-metal parts.
There are two limitations you should know about: paint damage and scratches must be repaired promptly, and locations within 300 meters of the coast are excluded from the warranty.
How stable is the box if a ball hits it?
The housings are made of galvanized, coated sheet steel or aluminum. Their stability is comparable to the sheet metal skin of a car roof.
A ball generally leaves no mark. A hard, sharp impact can cause a dent, just as it can on a car.
What colors are available?
The standard color for all lines is Anthracite RAL 7016, with a subtle hammered-effect finish on Dagobert and a matte powder coating on Stahlfred. These surfaces are easy to maintain and effectively conceal signs of use.
Dagobert is also available in special colors such as black, silver, grey aluminum, white gray, and brown, as well as three wood-look fronts. The wood look is coated metal, not laminate or real wood. Alubert is available in additional shades. We supply Stahlfred and Holzmichl in Anthracite, with Holzmichl combined with a front made of real spruce wood that you can oil or stain yourself.
On request, we can coat your box in any RAL color. Two things to note: special colors cost more than Anthracite and have a longer delivery time, and a requested color is considered a custom-made product for which there is no right of withdrawal.
How do I care for the box?
Normally, rinsing with water and a mild cleaning agent is sufficient. Avoid abrasive or harsh products, as they damage the coating.
More important than cleaning is the mechanism: The locking bar and hinges should be oiled or greased regularly. Failure to carry out maintenance voids the warranty.
Keep road salt and fertilizer away from the box. Both damage the surface.
What if a part arrives damaged or breaks later?
Contact us by email or phone. In the event of transport damage, we need to know as soon as possible, as the shipping company is liable for it.
We will send replacement parts promptly and without red tape by parcel service. In the event of a warranty claim, shipping the replacement part is free of charge; you carry out the replacement yourself.
Please do not return anything without prior authorization. If a return is sent without coordination, it is often no longer possible to determine whether the damage occurred during the original or return shipment.
Order, Delivery and Service
From ordering to your doorstep.
How long does delivery take?
We keep part of our range in stock, while the majority is made to order. Anthracite is available significantly faster than custom colors, which are coated individually.
The current delivery time is listed for each product. As soon as the delivery date is confirmed, we will contact you.
How much does delivery cost, and where do you deliver?
We deliver to numerous European countries and offer free shipping above a minimum order value, excluding islands. The countries we deliver to and the minimum order value are listed in the shipping terms.
To Germany, France and Italy, we deliver via the regional distribution centers of our logistics partners Gebrüder Weiss and Kühne + Nagel. This means your box comes from a warehouse near you rather than being transported across Europe.
How does delivery work?
The boxes are delivered by freight carrier to the curbside. The driver will not carry them into your garden, so unloading at the roadside is the agreed scope of delivery.
For the delivery notification, we will contact you at least one day in advance by SMS, phone, or email to find a suitable time window together. With driver notification, the driver calls approximately one hour before delivery. We cannot guarantee driver notification everywhere, and it usually involves additional costs.
Inspect the goods upon receipt and report any visible damage immediately.
Can I pick up the box myself?
Yes, by appointment at our central warehouse in 4470 Enns. There are no regular opening hours, so please contact us beforehand.
Important: Even for self-collection, you must order and pay in advance via the webshop. Cash payment on site is not possible. Arrange the collection date with our fulfillment center after completing the ordering and payment process.
How can I pay?
Available payment methods are advance payment by bank transfer, PayPal, iDEAL, EPS, Bancontact, and credit card (VISA, Mastercard, AMEX). You will receive the invoice as a PDF.
Business customers can enter their VAT ID number during the ordering process. For intra-community deliveries, we will then issue the invoice tax-free. We also accept orders by email.
Can I return the box?
As a consumer, you have a fourteen-day right of withdrawal for distance purchases, starting on the day you received the goods. You bear the cost of the return shipment.
There is no right of withdrawal for custom-made products. This includes boxes in a custom RAL color and individually configured outdoor kitchens.
Please do not send returns to the company address. Instead, only send them to the return address specified in the right of withdrawal information after submitting your withdrawal.
Can I see the boxes in person beforehand?
Yes. Our showroom in Leonding near Linz features the models for you to see and touch. Please arrange an appointment in advance.
If that’s too far away for you, you’ll find many photos of boxes installed at our customers’ homes in the Google reviews and on our social media channels.
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