Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber and Oprah Winfrey provide inspiration for bin lorry names

When Vincent Van Gogh set down his brush having finished one of his iconic self-portraits, little did he know that staring up at him was the future namesake of a Suffolk bin lorry.

Following a public naming competition, Bincent Van Gogh now joins Binjamin Britten, Binny Doherty, Dustbin Bieber, Debris Harry, Ed Sheerin and Oprah Binfree on Suffolk’s new team of recycling and waste trucks.

These were the names put forward in a contest launched by Suffolk County Council and its waste management partner FCC Environment.

Cllr Richard Smith, Suffolk County Council cabinet member for economic development, transport strategy and waste, congratulated the winners.

He continued: “We asked the public to get their thinking caps on and unleash their creativity – and they did not disappoint!

The name of the final of the eight lorries, Recyclatron, was conjured up by Milly – five year old robot toy enthusiast and daughter of waste truck driver, Scott Edgar. The other drivers all agreed that Recyclatron was a perfect fit.

Having taken to the roads in April – before they were christened – the vehicles cost a total of £1.5 million.

They will operate from Suffolk County Council waste facilities at Lowestoft, Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds, and can carry up to 25 tonnes of material at a time.

Steve Longdon, operations director for FCC Environment, said: “Knowing these vehicles were given their names by the residents they will serve is wonderful.

“There are some amazing choices in there, spanning many years of culture.

“We hope that, now they are officially named, residents will see them on the roads and be even more inspired to recycle.”

Three of the trucks carry plastic, metal, card and paper for recycling; three are for garden waste, and the final two are dedicated to waste that can’t be recycled.

Bincent Van Gough was named by Trudy Neill, Binjamin Britten was named by Panda Laughlin, Binny Doherty was named by Sasha Watson, Dustbin Bieber was named by Kirsten Fullam, Debris Harry was named by Rachel Goldsmith, Ed Sheerbin was named by Justin Miller, and Oprah Binfree was named by Alex Smitten.