Rubbish bins hardly rate highly on the list of most-coveted design objects.

In fact they tend to go unappreciated, until you need one – and then you can’t help but notice a lack of them.

Because of heightened security concerns, this has been the case in Sydney train stations for ten years now – much to the dismay of commuters (and cleaning staff no doubt).

But after a gruelling process to find the right designers for the job, RailCorp has arrived at a solution: the HUB.20/20 Bin.

The design team from HUB Street Equipment collaborated with RailCorp and the University of Technology, Sydney to create a receptacle that would satisfy the broad scope of stakeholder expectation.

“The biggest challenge was ensuring all stakeholders’ needs were addressed without compromising others,” says HUB’s General Manager Anton Beardmore.

“The design brief was developed by RailCorp and included feedback from all relevant stakeholders including the NSW Police Force, maintenance staff, access specialists, security staff, station management, presentation staff, OH&S, RailCorp Management and RailCorp Procurement.”

The HUB.20/20 Bin is the end product, reconciling issues of robustness, ease and efficiency of installation, operation, cleaning and maintenance, safety, vandal resistance, disabled access and visual access.

Take one look at the bin and it’s obvious aesthetics weren’t compromised either.

“In addition to satisfying all these ‘needs’ which can often pull design in opposite directions, HUB continually strives to ensure the final design is beautiful,” says Beardmore.

The bin, made from stainless steel, clear polycarbonate and cast aluminium is simple but elegant, thanks to the design being pared down to meet the need for functionality and safety.

HUB Street Equipment
hubstreetequipment.com.au