Why do aesthetics matter when it comes to a bin?

Latest News Thu, Oct 17, 2019 8:45 AM


A seemingly unimportant factor of a formerly ‘basic’ office fixture became the foundation of the award-winning bins from Method Recycling.

The bins have a proven record of diverting waste from landfill and they’re now featured in leading spaces around the world, including Foster + Partners, The Office Group the Sydney Cricket Ground, Canva, Atlassian, Qantas and many more.

Method began when co-founders Steven and India Korner continuously saw organisations who wanted to recycle without the tools to be successful. Bins and recycling systems had often been an afterthought - with ugly bins hidden in cupboards and kitchens, or desk bins - both of which don’t encourage or facilitate recycling. The Korners believed that a well-designed bin could change the way individuals interact with waste and recycling in the workplace, and it has.

With the desire to make a visible difference they set off on a three-year journey of research and development to understand the needs of all those involved in a buildings waste and recycling process. They held focus groups, developed prototypes, and even helped cleaners on the night shift to gain a truly holistic view and ensure that the bins worked for everyone.

More than just a bin the Korners created a system that is considered, well designed and purposeful. Recycling is no longer an afterthought, but instead a featured part of workspace design.

Open Plan Recycling

Through the design process, they pioneered Open Plan Recycling - a new philosophy of shared workspace recycling and waste.

Method’s beautiful bins are designed to be placed together to form flexible recycling stations, that are then located consistently throughout an open-plan space. These flexible stations mean that organisations can easily adapt the Method system to their needs; adding or moving waste streams as their needs change, or based on feedback from users. Single bins or smaller stations can also be placed where recyclables are produced to maximise results. Such as a paper bin next to the printer, or an organics bin in the kitchen.

In its most simple form, this changes the way that individuals interact with waste and recycling in the workplace. By removing desk bins users are unable to simply throw their waste away without a thought. Instead, recycling bins are available alongside all general waste bins.

Further, having consistent recycling stations throughout a building standardised recycling. Consistency in location, streams and colour-coding means that through regular interaction recycling becomes an unconscious behaviour.

One of the fundamental principles that makes Method’s philosophy successful is visibility - so the appearance of the bins is crucial. Method’s bins are designed to be out in the open as a visible statement of an organisations commitment to recycling and sustainability. Further, the visibility also increases awareness and accountability, while instilling a collective culture of responsibility into an organisation - changing recycling behaviours at work and subsequently at home.

Build sustainable habits into your next fit-out with the behaviour changing bins. Get in touch with Method - methodrecycling.com.



Featured News

Specification news
Introducing the UK Climate Resilience Roadmap

UKGBC has officially launched a consultation into a new UK Climate Resilience Roadmap...

Read More >>

Specification news
Report identifies actions to increase uptake of...

A new report published by the Construction Leadership Council sets out the four main...

Read More >>

BUILDING PRODUCT LIBRARY - LATEST BROCHURES

Novantica - Cement Free Restoration  Brochure

Novantica - Cement F...
By Fassa Bortolo

Download Now >>

Fassatherm System - Product Catalogue  Brochure

Fassatherm System -...
By Fassa Bortolo

Download Now >>

Fassarend System - Product Catalogue  Brochure

Fassarend System - P...
By Fassa Bortolo

Download Now >>

Fassalime System - Product Catalogue  Brochure

Fassalime System - P...
By Fassa Bortolo

Download Now >>

BUILDING PRODUCT DIRECTORY - LATEST PRODUCTS

Straightcurve®
Straightcurve®

Straightcurve® – headquartered in Australia, is renowned for high-end innovative garden edging,...

Read More >>

RLG600 Access Flooring System
RLG600 Access Flooring System

The Kingspan RLG600 raised access floor panel is intended for light office use and is capable of...

Read More >>

RHG600 Simploc
RHG600 Simploc

Kingspan RHG600 Simploc is the heavy grade floor system, capable of handling up to a 12kN/m2...

Read More >>

CONSTRUCTION VIDEOS - LATEST VIDEOS

Discover the first-ever reference book for stone wool insulated sandwich panels
Discover the first-ever reference book for stone wool insulated sandwich panels

“Building with stone wool insulated sandwich panels” written by Professor Imperadori, is now...

Watch Now >>

Portakabin | Installation at the iconic Admiralty Arch, London
Portakabin | Installation at the iconic Admiralty Arch, London

Portakabin | Installation at the iconic Admiralty Arch, London

Watch Now >>