BetterBin Competition

Brief: Design the next generation’s street bin for New York City

Dwelling in the diverse and fast paced urban context of NYC, the KareKan is aiming to best serve the convenience of sanitation workers and raise the environmental awareness of the general public. The ergonomic handle grip, soft triangular body form, and rubber rollers offer the sanitation workers seamless experiences in dragging, lifting, and emptying the trash. The colour-coded transparent lids and body perforations provide easy visual access and cues, which also bring the aesthetic value to the streetscapes.

The triangular shape was initially inspired by the recycling sign, aspiring for a cleaner and more sustainable future. The functional reason for the triangle base was that the bin could then be approached and dragged from any angle. The triangle shape also prevents the bin from rolling away when standing upright.