Compost Dustbin?
Here’s the thing, you know you have to recycle waste, and many of us go through the motions, but there’s a percentage that finds excuses for not doing so. With the Braun Envi urban dustbin, you are actually doing your bit by “promoting composting from biodegradable waste.” Basically when you toss your apple core into this bin, bio-reactive substances based on photo catalysis start doing their job and rehashes the trash as compost. The substances also remove odors and speed up the process. The idea is to use these huge bins in public spaces, where people can drop their biodegradable trash, and the compost be collected and used later on.
I love the greens on the side.
Main materials used in constructing the bin: stainless steel, aluminum, glass, polypropylene, polyethylene.
Just two questions:
- What happens if someone drops in the wrong stuff? Will it affect the compost? Can it include a process to sort out the rejects?
- Altho the idea is sound, how many cities will actually adopt such bins?
The floor is open designers…let’s debate!
Designers: Julien Bergignat, Cecilia Jia & Johnny Chen



















44 Comments »
Julien Bergignat says
Thanks for the post, to answer your question about the top of the dustbin , there a mechanical device with spring that close the doors once you have put your garbage inside.
ilia says
i dont think this would work, dustbins fill up in what, a day? and for garbage to become compost takes a lot more than 1 day.
still, the idea is great
igendesign says
good idea, but you should make some experiments to find out if does it work.
jon says
good idea but still has lots of weak points
Carl says
which therefore make it a bad idea.
Johan says
Yeah, agree with jon and ilia on this one. Too many movables to break, to little space, too slow process. I can imagine many ways to speed up the process, but none suitable for the public space..
Sjors says
Love the idea of rethinking recycling and garbage disposal so close to the ‘creation of garbage’ level, but this system still has some obvious flaws:
- Plastics would just stay in the top of the bin and clog the system.
- With such small storage for actual garbage and the process time of compost is too long for it to clear.
Suggestions:
- Separate storage for plastics
- Variable levels for composting and garbage
Julien Bergignat says
Suggestion read the article you will it is only for biodegradable waste, after a study of the actual composition of urban waste, and the evolution of biodegradable plastic, we made this proposal for future use…not today!!!
Lamah says
So every day when the bin fills up… you have to install a new bin alongside the old one, filled with rotting food? Yeah, right. That’s sustainable.
Just have a regular bin. Get people to put food in it. Collect the full bin at the end of the day like we already do. Take it to a recycling center where a huge amount of food can be composted efficiently at once.
moro says
Great, i like it
Nico says
there are compost worms that accelerates the process of compost. but anyways, what about all the non-biodegradable plastics?
great btw
cecilia says
great passion of design. keep this.
M.S.W. says
Suggestion to the designers. Instead of having a flip out bin/cartridge for human removal adapt the design to use a robot to remove/replace the bin/cartridges.
Louise says
The design may have its flaws, but with regards to presentation of the design…I love it! Nicely done.
Mike @ FURNISHism says
The idea and the design are awesome. Although it has some flows…
Alberto A. Mendoza says
Could you provide us some information on the following items (for this Braun Envi urban dustbin):
1. Possible areas or locations to place this dustbin. (ie, lobbies of hotels,offices,hospitals,schools,etc.?)
2. Wastes/litters that can be disposed or dumped to this dustbin? (ie, food waste,paper,plastic,glass?)
3. Technical details on how the wastes transform into fertilizer for plants.
4. Dustbin or container material specifications.
5. Odor and vector (flies, etc.) control.
6. Maintenance cost details.
Julien Bergignat says
feel free to contact me personnaly, if you need more informations…
Giorgia Cacciatore says
HI JULIEN! WE ARE ITALIAN PRODUCT DESIGNERS WORKING ON A PROJECT ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY AND WE WOULD LIKE TO INCLUDE IN OUR PROJECT ENVI.
ARE YOU ABLE TO GIVE US MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROCESS WHICH CREATES THE COMPOST INSIDE OF THE BIN AND THE TIME REQUIRED?
MANY THANX
GIORGIA CACCIATORE
CATERINA MIDIRI
CHIARA GIULIANO
gcacciatore@live.it
tatu says
Hi!!! I really like your design!! Ithink it´s a great idea but difficult to take to practise…
I´m from Argentina, studyng industrial design and I have to design a domestic compost for University.
I would like to make you some questions about compost and perhaps you can help me!
I will be wainting for your answer…
Thank you!
Julien Bergignat says
feel free to contact me on my personnal email
aoronj says
HI JULIEN! I am a college students,my major is industry design,I like your design,Can you give me more information about the design,Technical details on how the wastes transform into fertilizer for plants.Odor and vector (flies, etc.) control.How does the grass growth unify with the dustbin, how the structure to realize?
I expect from your news.thank you very much!
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Iskandar says
Hi,
we are students who have a project on sustainability. We would like to know more about your product so that we can use and develop more ideas on that. Can you explain more on your product?
Tq.
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