Method - Beautiful Bins

Corporate culture is changing, companies place a higher value on collaboration and innovation. Practicing Sustainability is a key goal for organisations and recycling in the workplace is a crucial part of this; however it can be challenging to implement with logistical and cultural issues to address.

Method saw an opportunity to re-think office recycling. We developed an open-plan recycling system that engages users to make a conscious decision to sort their waste. We wanted to shift the perception of recycling from a wheelie bin in the corner, to a product the staff were proud to have in their work space and encourage an organisation-wide culture of recycling.

To successfully implement a recycling system an organisation requires the engagement of multiple stakeholders. Our research sought to understand the values and needs of everybody involved in the system. We spent time with each stakeholder; interviewing property and sustainability managers, holding focus groups with office employees and joining in on night-shift with cleaning contractors. We identified Office and Sustainability Managers as the primary customer - they buy and implement the system and Employees and Cleaners are the primary users.

Our Research lead us to develop a flexible system removing barriers to recycling by focusing on:

• Clear labeling - on easily visible surfaces
• Large openings - makes depositing waste easy
• Easily Customised stations - lid Colours, recycling streams/labeling, open or closed lids and the number of bins in a station can all be changed to suit a customers needs in different areas of their workspace.
• Open plan bins - easily placed in visible areas where they are most needed and provide flexibility as they can be moved around as the office grows or contracts. They promote sustainable culture through visibility.
• Bag retention - the patented bag retention system secures the liners so they don't fall into the bin when rubbish is placed inside. It also ensures that the ugly plastic bag is not visible, creating a clean, tidy aesthetic. It easy and fast to replace liners and multiple sized liners fit the bin.
• Aesthetic - The form and colour palette was developed to look at home in contemporary, professional offices.