How to build gravel area for bins?

GingerNinja

Hey team quick question. I currently have my 4 wheelie bins on soil in an area around 1.5m x 3.5m. When it rains it gets muddy and even when dry can be hard to get the bins to roll out and down the driveway.

Ive considered a few options and have decided to get some bin covers and to fix the dirt area - its purely for usability and not for aesthetics.

1. Concrete - Too big a job and a bit excessive.
2. Pavers - this is one of my actual possible options. Its still going to cost around $500-700 once I get pavers, plate compactor, road base, sand and paving sand.
3. Compacted Gravel - my question is about this.

What sort of gravel could you use that will:

a: not be affected too badly by rain

b: can be compacted to the point where the bins will actually roll when pushed.

Just wanting to know if anyone has used or can recommend something.

Thanks

Ben

MitchellMc

Hi @GingerNinja,

I'd go with a compacted road base rather than a decorative gravel. Something like 20mm road base contains a mixture of aggregate sizes and fines, so when it's compacted and slightly dampened it locks together to form a firm surface. Loose gravels such as blue metal or drainage gravel won't compact in the same way and the bin wheels will tend to dig into them.

I'd excavate around 75–100mm, install a suitable edging around the perimeter, then add the road base in roughly 50mm layers, lightly wetting and compacting each layer with a plate compactor. Give the finished surface a slight fall so rainwater drains away rather than pooling.

For your 3.5 x 1.5m area, a finished 75mm layer would require around 0.4m³ of road base, or around 0.5m³ at 100mm deep. I'd allow a little extra for compaction.

It won't be quite as smooth to roll the bins over as paving, but properly compacted road base should give you a considerably firmer and less muddy surface without the expense and work involved in paving the whole area.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell