Garbage Bin Redux — Design Diaries

A project with the Ahmedabad City Municipal Corporation in a Zero-Litter City campaign

In 2013, we were approached by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation to help design a unique bin to help with their “Zero-Litter City” campaign.

Here is a story of how we figured out the problems and designed a solution which was selected as the best designed bin in the challenge.

The Research

Building, Roads and Shops

Shops, Bus stops

Cows, Commercial complexes and Rag Pickers

The Brainstorming

Problems

Some problems included:

1. Short and narrow bins, hard to accurately throw garbage
2. Spitting beetle leaf remains, making bins unapproachable
3. Muted bin colors, almost camouflaging
4. Narrow body shape
5. Cigarette butt dousing
6. Automated pickup support
7. Unpredictable placement of bins
8. Feeding cattle on streets, encourages littering

Solutions

Some solutions proposed

1. Broader design
2. Beter visible colors
3. Standardizing placements
4. Ultra-hydrophobic smooth surface
5. Spout edges
6. A Target enhancing cover

The Prototyping

Autocad models for the new design

The intitial autocad model which we modified for a smarter cover design.

The cardboard prototyping of the bin.

The final model made of tim and plastic. Top has a target surface

The Deploying

The morning our bin was deployed near a local shop. Usually dirty.

3 days later the bin appeared in good conition and worked well when the area nearby was cleaned.

The target cover helped people spit the mouth waste and throw garbage more accurately.

The garbage collected in 1 week. Contained Platic, paper, food, tetraopacks, paper plates,and cans

The nearby shop turned his bin cover upside down on seeing our bin working well nearby!
We were happily amused we could inspire other people nearby with our design.

Do check out my other design projects on — aditsgupta.com

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