Spark were engaged by the City of Adelaide to design and develop a new multiple waste stream bin system as part of a pilot project that would be rolled out through Rundle Mall in Adelaide’s CBD. Backed by several stakeholders including Green Industries SA (GISA), the City of Adelaide, and the Rundle Mall Traders Authority, Spark set out on a design journey to create, not only an altogether new bin design, but one that would tick the boxes in a broad list of requirements from Adelaide City Council. One such requirment was a collection point for refundable bottles and cans. Naturally, as the manufacturers of the current Rundle Mall furniture suite, Spark were also keen to maintain a design connection to the furniture aesthetic that is currently in the mall. 

The trick was to encourage and guide pedestrians to discard their waste into the correct bin, as cross contamination of the various waste streams ultimely results in all waste ending up in landfill. It was therefore imperative that Spark's designers applied design methodologies that would "interrupt" the user's process, and make them stop and think before disposal. 

SPARK presented several design concepts of the waste stream bins to the City of Adelaide and Green Industries SA. Each bin concept focused on ease of use and attracting pedestrians through an eye-catching presence and innovative design.

Additionally, council wanted a sleek, minimal look for waste stream bin design including an aesthetic that was uninterrupted by a visible locking mechanism. After designing and prototyping many different locking system concepts, Spark industrial designers developed a unique, keyless, and tamper-proof locking system that is inaccessible from the exterior of each bin.

Click here for more images and information on the Rundle Mall Waste Stream bins.