Custom-Made Designer Trash Bins Pop Up in NYC Parks

New York City is known as one of the most vibrant and stylish places in the world, but you wouldn't know it from looking at our frumpy, outdated trash cans - until now, that is. In order to bring an aspect of art to everyday life, two of NYC's most famous parks have stepped up the design of their waste containers in a big way. <a href="http://www.bryantpark.org/">Bryant Park</a>'s playful leaf-like cans are already in place, and 700 unique "twisting" form cans for Central Park will be installed by the end of the year. Not only will these new cans discourage people from littering by gaining the attention of park patrons, as the <a href="http://www.centralparknyc.org/visit/general-info/trash/">Central Park Conservancy</a> points out, they will also reduce the number of rats in the nabe.

<a href="http://facesofdesign.com/ignacio-ciocchini/portfolio/ignacio-ciocchinis-portfolio">Ignacio Ciocchini</a> is Vice President of Design for the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/new-yorks-greenest-tower-1-bryant-park-isnt-so-green-after-all/">Bryant Park Corporation</a> non-profit, and the creator of the tulip-shaped cans. Ciocchini says that “the design of the Bryant Park litter receptacles and recycling system was inspired by plants, flowers and nature in general.  The product becomes an accent in the park environment rather than a utilitarian product hidden in a corner."

The goal of the new cans for <a href="http://www.bryantpark.org/">Bryant Park</a> is to be attractive to 5,000 daily visitors, and also to decrease littering. "The shape symbolizes the commitment of the client to dispose trash and materials in a way that minimizes the impact on the environment," says Ciocchini. "The nature-inspired design acts as a visual reminder to people that diligent garbage disposal and recycling have a positive impact on the planet.”

There are 100 cans installed in the park, many with variations of the perforations in the metal colors. There are cans specifically intended for separating recyclables, such as paper, cans, and bottles.

The final design for the cans was decided by a public vote process, which is a nice way to get the community involved. There are plans for both Herald Square and adjacent Greeley Square will also be outfitted with these flower-shaped bins.

In order to reduce rats, improve visitor safety, and increase sustainability, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/central-park-now-glows-with-energy-saving-cree-led-street-lights/">Central Park</a> will install 700 new trash and recycling bins this fall. These coordinating bins all feature a twisting form that spirals to an opening size for the type of content it will accept - a larger opening for trash, and a smaller opening for bottles and cans. The cans will be made from 30% recycled aluminum donated by Alcoa, Inc, so they will be more durable than the plastic cans they are replacing.

The cans were designed by <a href="http://landor.com/#!/">Landor Associates</a>, which particular attention to prevent overflow. When trash overflows, it attracts rats. “As New Yorkers and regular visitors to <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/central-park-car-lane-to-be-turned-into-a-bike-lane/">Central Park</a>, we were really excited to take on the assignment of designing the new trash bins,” said Allen Adamson, managing director of Landor’s New York office, which designed the cans. “The result is a really iconic form, designed to complement its surroundings, while encouraging recycling in the Park. Using aluminum was a perfect match, giving the design flexibility and resilience we wouldn’t have had from any other material. We think we struck a nice balance here.” <h3><strong> + <a href="http://www.centralparknyc.org/">Central Park Conservacy</a></strong></h3> <h3><strong>+ <a href="http://www.bryantpark.org/">Bryant Park Corporation</a></strong></h3>