Smartstreets-Smartbin™: A Revolutionary Approach to Urban Litter Management

Designers Chris Garcin and Andrew Farish Transform Street Infrastructure with Innovative Litter Bin

The Smartstreets-Smartbin™ was born out of a pressing need to tackle the world's biggest litter problem: cigarette and gum waste. This litter accounts for over 50% of all waste discarded annually worldwide, with over 4.5 trillion cigarette butts thrown onto pavements and into gutters. This waste not only blights urban landscapes but also leaks toxins, harms wildlife, causes fires, and impacts residents' quality of life, commerce, and tourism. The designers aimed to create a solution that would encourage and empower citizens to dispose of this waste considerately.

What sets the Smartstreets-Smartbin™ apart is its multiple patented design with unique capabilities. The bin is designed to complement existing street furniture by mounting two contoured bins back to back around any size or shape of lamp post or sign post. This design releases new value from existing infrastructure by creating networks of predictably located cigarette and gum litter bins. Case studies from cities around the world have proven that the Smartbin's unique approach can transform local environment quality in urban areas, making street care more people-centric, cost-efficient, and sustainable.

The Smartstreets-Smartbin™ is not only innovative in its design but also in its realization. The bin is made from recycled aluminium, treated for corrosion resistance, and powder-coated to any required colour. All other parts are made from stainless steel for longevity and robustness. The design is fully refurbishable and recyclable, and can be branded to suit specific requirements.

The Smartstreets-Smartbin™ is easy to use and maintain. It complements existing infrastructure by wrapping around existing lamp posts and sign posts, making it possible to install litter bins for cigarette and gum across the street scene without adding clutter. The bins are quick to install, easy to locate and use, and simple to service and maintain. There are no sharp edges and all fixings are hidden from view within the units. It is an engaging design which is safe, fireproof, and very durable.

Since the project's inception in 2008, the Smartstreets-Smartbin™ has been adopted by over 120 cities worldwide. This widespread adoption is a testament to the extensive research and design challenges overcome by the team. Smartstreets consulted with over 200 Councils before finalizing on the optimal feature set. Multiple versions were prototyped and trialed in the design stages to identify the optimal solution for practicality, value for money, and aesthetics. The current Smartbin is the second model which integrates special additional security features.

In conclusion, the Smartstreets-Smartbin™ is a revolutionary design that addresses a global environmental problem. Its unique design, sustainable materials, and ease of use make it a game-changer in urban litter management. The Smartstreets-Smartbin™ is not just a bin; it is a testament to the power of design in transforming our cities and improving our quality of life.