Better Bin – Liter Basked for New York City
The focus of the design is on the user: our practical and efficient litter basket better serves both sanitation workers and the public which results in an intuitive and iconic appearance.
It is more functional for sanitation workers: When emptying the bin, the funnel-shape is particularly efficient because litter falls out easily when the bin is tilted with the opening downward. The woven and curved bottom allows for fluids to flow out and inhibits litter to stick to the bottom, in contrast to the current bin.
It easily stacks 4 high – thanks to the funnel shape, which was a requirement from the design brief. The funnel-shape of the litter basket does not require pedestrians to physically touch the basket to dispose of waste, its shape suggests proper use and makes it identifiable. The shape of our bin is extremely resistant to outside damage and vandalism: The new heavy duty litter basket is made of a filigree self-stabilizing flexible network structure which looks light and elegant and is not vulnerable to damage, rust and misuse. The innovative interwoven structure provides stability while staying flexible. This way the litter basket bounces back when banged on the edge of the sanitation truck without deformation. This eliminates the “mushrooming” effect of the current bin. Its diamond structure withstands high wind gusts.
Servicing by Sanitation Workers
The ergonomically shaped rings on the top and on the bottom help sanitation workers to drag, lift and empty the bin more easily. Thanks to the circular form and the minimal contact with the ground, the bin can be easily dragged or rolled. By tilting the bin it can be rolled like using a steering wheel. The new height is ergonomically superior, therefore sanitation workers have to bend down much less. When emptying the bins, they can be rolled to either side on the edge of the sanitation truck. This makes servicing quicker and more effective. For sanitation workers, the filling level is easily visible even from a great distance thanks to its transparent structure. Scratched off color or rust are no issues because stainless steel does not require coating. The material can be stained and passivated. This means that the basket looks brand new after being placed in a chemical bath and has a repellent effect. Whereas the current bins are replaced after 3 years, our litter basket can be refurbished and fixed when necessary for a much longer life span. This saves resources and costs significantly. The material is resistant to all temperatures and weather conditions.
