Stylish Recycling Bins

Has recycling turned into another commitment that started off with a fiery passion but has since fallen by the wayside? Well it’s time to rekindle the flame. But how do you get back into the habit?

It all starts with a recycling system that is both convenient and easy to maintain in the midst of your busy life. As recycling becomes part of daily life, it invades the epicenters of homes. Your living space is a reflection of you, and the last thing you want is to have is a bright blue plastic bin sticking out like a sore thumb in your beautiful kitchen. But if it’s not functional, you’ll use it less, right?

The answer: Mix function with form to come up with a stylish recycling solution. Designers and manufactures are already creating interesting takes on the typical recycling bin, and it will only get better. You should have no problem finding a system that fits not only your lifestyle but also your décor.

Stylish Options

Recycling al-a-Mode

Mode Products created quite a system when they developed their Premium All-in-One Home Recycling Center. As a completely enclosed unit, this recycling system not only hides the disheveled side of recycling but also hides odors with a carbon filter. Main features include:

• Five gallon paper bin complete with mail slot for easy dumping or for the child who likes to play “postman”
• Eight gallon section for glass, plastic and metal items
• A compactor that adds up to 3 times as much space as a typical recycling bin
• Recycle Day Reminder: a feature you set to remind you of recycling day so you’ll never forget to take out the recycling
• Nesting Bins: an easy way to stack and transport both bins outside in one easy trip
• For the statistician at heart – Eco-Track™: a tool that tells you how much is in the bins currently and how much you’ve recycled during the time frame of your choice

Binvention

Before recycling or tossing plastic grocery bags, get a few more uses out of them with Binvention by Sprout Design. The concept is similar to hanging file folders but a lot trendier. Made of aluminum, it requires no assembly, comes in red, green, aluminum or turquoise and allows you to hang four bags from cutouts similar to crenelations on top of castles.

This is the perfect sidekick for a desk. In one bin you can separate paper, trash, plastic and other items, and when one is full you can remove and replace a bag in seconds. This stylish home recycling unit encourages the re-use of old carrier bags to create simple compartments for your cans, paper, bottles and plastic, filing the recycling in a clever, sleek waste solution. And the biggest bonus: no need to buy bin liners.

Finally! A Zero Calorie Muffin

Sorry to disappoint you, but this muffin is not edible. This recycling bin, created by designers Riccardo Nannini, Domenico Orefice and Emanuele Pizzolorusso, is a waste basket made of recycled paper and was on exhibition in Milan.

This culinary-shaped recycle bin holds 50 stacked sheets of pleated-paper, similar to a stack of paper coffee filters. Once full, simply remove the the inner layer of paper and recycle it all. The next layer of paper is ready to go. Based on its paper make-up, being cautious of weight and insuring your recyclables are free of liquid is a must.

Give Recycling a Tri

Although it is just a concept, Tri3 is a cylinder that may shake things up in the world of stylish disposing and recycling. Three separate pedals operate  different levels of the unit.

• General waste, stored in the top bin along with a bag dispenser, can be quickly accessed with one step on the left pedal.
• The middle pedal moves the center bin outward for storage of plastics and packaging.
• The right pedal moves the bottom can towards the user and is perfect for glass.

It’s All in the Label

As recycling becomes more widespread, education about what can and can’t be recycled becomes more of an issue than ever.  Though most bins are great for design sake, others are blending form and function.

Designer Woo Seok Park took function into consideration when designing this futuristic Barcode Trashcan. These bins not only hold your recyclables but also tell you if an item is recyclable in the first place. According to Yanko Design, “There’s one bin for each type of recyclable material. Just swipe the item in question over the top and the bin that opens is your winner. Easy breezy covergirl for real!”

Be Your Own Designer

In addition to recycling, the sustainability cycle also includes reuse. If you don’t want to buy a new recycling system, look for items in your home that will do the trick.

• Turn a stylish, stainless steel trashcan into your recycle bin. This is a perfect fit for contemporary décor
• Reuse a pop-up hamper or laundry bag in a fashionable fabric. Hanging on the back of a door, a laundry bag can hold aluminum cans and plastic bottles. Pop-ups with handles are great for paper goods and can be easily stored when guests come over
• Decorative storage boxes and fabric bins are hip alternatives to plain old plastic tubs. If you don’t like the current look of your bin you can always use wrapping paper, wallpaper, stickers or paint to dress it up

With a little ingenuity you can have homemade recycling center that meets your recycling needs and appeals to the aesthetics of your home.