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Anti-Terrorism Product Design: The Hub 20/20 Bin

By Rain Noe - April 21, 2011

in Object Culture

Post 9/11, terrorism changed the flying experience immediately, prompting the introduction of a host of new rules and regulations (some of dubious efficacy). Product design has been much slower to react. It's been nearly ten years since the WTC tragedy, and today there are still some subway platforms here in New York where I can't find a garbage can to throw rubbish into, as they've been removed from certain locations for fear of bomb packages being inserted into them.

An Australian company called HUB Street Equipment has designed a trash receptacle, the 20/20 Bin, out of an unspecified clear material—we're guessing Lexan—for installation in busy places. Viewing half-eaten sandwiches and the like while waiting for your train may not be pleasant, but at least it's a step, however belated, towards designing trash receptacles that aren't as bomb-friendly as the current steel cylinders are.

via design droplets

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octo

13 years ago

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clear until graffiti
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54

13 years ago

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My guess would be that the clear plastic would get so scratched up and you can't see through it after 6 month. Not to mention the griffiti, and the stickers that ppl put on it...this is put in a public place designers, please think of the abuse it would get.

but I guess that is a healthy way for the company to sale replacement panels.
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raphili

13 years ago

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"Product design has been much slower to react ..."? the trash-bin in paris are transparent for the same reason since years :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephyinparis/1544412272/
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Duane Brown

13 years ago

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OHHHH American's and there threat levels.... You are going to kill yourselves with trash b4 someone plants a bomb on a trash can..
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Real deal Harry

13 years ago

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We could also just say that this is a nicely designed garbage receptacle and if someone really wanted to bomb the airport I doubt trash cans would prevent it, or anything really. Trying to prevent bombing by removing trashcans is like preventing graffiti by having no walls. Theres always gonna be someone that figures out the next way to do it.
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CIA

13 years ago

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you're right, agent. we cannot identify the bomb by its appearance - especially the "serious" one. this product is totally unsafe from bomb terror.
if we want the one highly safe from bomb, and if we can spent tons of money, should use military grade anti-bomb material like Kevlar with heavy iron steel plate. not transparent, but safe.
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Sergio Cordeiro

13 years ago

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Unlike the author of the post, I think that seeing the trash that accumulates in those bins is an added bonus for people to be conscious about the insane amount of wasted resources that are produced by people who throw away half-eaten sandwiches, not to mention disposable packaging.

Bonus points for the transparency feature, really.
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KGB

13 years ago

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These look great, however, this concept assumes that everyone can identify a bomb. I would think in reality, the issue of bomb placement is more complicated. I'm sure those things don't look like clocks with wires and tubes anymore; a bomb could be fashioned too look like a pop can, etc....
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