Bomb-proof recycling bin

ANY COMMUTER knows how irritating it is having no bins in London – where do you put it? In your pocket, bag, or on the floor even.

The security concerns of bins in the capital have been alive ever since the IRA bombing back in the 1980s – they are simply too tempting a receptacle to place explosives in.

Now however, as concerns mount about keeping London streets tidy, new bomb-proof bins are to be brought in.

These bins (that's garbage cans to our colonial brethren), developed by Media Metrica are designed to absorb the heat of explosives and prevent the spread of shrapnel using what is affectionately known as “blast intelligent technology”.

As if this kind of high-tech bin isn’t enough, it will do more than just protect – each trash can will be fitted with the latest in electronic technology providing a stream of news and travel information.

The green bins will don large LCD screens which will provide commuters with stock prices in the morning and travel information on the way home, using information service, Renew.

Bill Bryson, Beardie Anglophile, author and president of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, said “You go to any mainline station and ask, 'What should I do with my litter?' and they will tell you, 'Put it on the ground, we'll pick it up'. To my mind that's a very dangerous notion to be implanting in people's minds.”

These newfangled bins will be put in place next year – hundreds of which will be installed around the financial district of London, the first city to try the bins.

Chief operating officer of Media Metrica, Brian James, said that the company will be approaching Transport for London to investigate whether the bins could be placed on Tube platforms.

On top of everything else the units will include recycling compartments for newspapers, cans and bottles.

Dickie Felton, from Keep Britain Tidy, said, “We understand the security reasons why bins were removed from places such as mainline stations, but when faced with no bins people view this as a legitimate reason to drop their rubbish.”

So, look out for these bomb-proof, information giving, and recycling extravaganzas as they spread to a city near you. µ

L'Inq
The Times