Advances In Bin Technology

By Author: James McNeil
Total Articles: 61
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An announcement in a design competition recently makes the possibility of a new waste bin closer to reality. Announcing its winner for the "Design the 4th Bin" competition, Valiant Technology charged design students, industrial designers and world renowned designers to create a fourth bin for the responsible disposal of public electronic waste.

The competition, which was set up partly in a response to a law in New York City prohibiting the disposal of electronic waste in regular rubbish, also included the design of a memorable logo that would be used in marketing the concept as well as for ease of recognition of the facility.

The chosen design, created by Springtime, an Amsterdam based industrial design company, has managed to incorporate an expanding waste bin, complete with RFID tags to maximise efficiency. The design is accessible to all, easy to use as you would expect a waste bin to be, and allows for a host of security features to be added as required.

The use of a vibrant colour scheme, a vivid yellow, along with the logo will make it an ideal addition to common recycling areas in the streets and ...
... in workplaces the country over, though it is likely to start its life in New York, and see where it goes from there.

The expanding design of the waste bin allows the space to be effectively utilised, and also allows for a visual representation of when it has reached, or is reaching, capacity. With such a design therefore, it is easy for facility managers and recycling area operatives to know when it needs emptying.

The addition of a sensor and transmitter, linked to the relevant recycling company, also allows for collection routes and schedules to be accurately organised; avoiding delays and getting the waste bin back into service as quickly and efficiently as possible.

With the RFID locking system, security is ensured as only those with valid tags will be able to open the bin, whilst further tags with necessary authorisation will allow it to be moved.

The waste bin itself is good for the environment too, being constructed out of a bio composite material, referred to as ‘Biopregse'. Such are the qualities of the material, that it can simply be folded to create the main part of the waste bin.

As for the logo, designed by Two Twelve graphic design in New York, it is an interpretation of the commonly seen green arrows recycling image. These arrows surround an image similar to a face, which is also suggestive of an electrical outlet. Linking the two concepts of electronics and recycling was key to the logo's success in the competition.

As the world desperately moves to reduce its impact on the global environment, the e-waste bin is certainly a step in the right direction. If successful, it will surely not be long before they are seen in offices, apartment blocks in all major cities in America. After this, it can only be a matter of time before such designs are incorporated into the home for the disposal of batteries, chargers and a host of other electronic consumables. Though these waste bins are currently being designed in the USA, it is reasonable to assume they could easily become commonplace here in the UK

Whatever the size of your business, Slingsby can provide you with the industrial equipment you're looking for.To explore our range of waste bins, further, please visit our website at http://www.slingsby.com