Recycled Trash bin - Plastic Recycling
Recycled Trash bin - Plastic Recycling
From a Single Brief to a Market-Ready Concept
From a Single Brief to a Market-Ready Concept
23/gal trash can
23/gal trash can
8/gal trash can
8/gal trash can
Background / Context
Design and launch a trash can.
Tools/Methods:
Market research, supply chain analysis, CAD (Solidworks), technical drawings, cost analysis, factory coordination, logistic analysis
Background / Context
A project to launch a trash can.
Tools/Methods:
Market research, supply chain analysis, CAD (Solidworks), technical drawings, cost analysis, factory coordination, logistic analysis
Background / Context
Design and launch a trash can.
Tools/Methods:
Market research, supply chain analysis, CAD (Solidworks), technical drawings, cost analysis, factory coordination, logistic analysis
My Role
Project Lead — Full Industrial Design, Market Research, Strategic Direction, Material Selection, Manufacturing Process Optimization, Supplier Coordination
Duration March - May 2026
My Role
Project Lead — Market Research, Strategic Direction, Material Selection, Manufacturing Process Optimization, Supplier Coordination
Duration February - May 2026
My Role
Project Lead — Full Industrial Design, Market Research, Strategic Direction, Material Selection, Manufacturing Process Optimization, Supplier Coordination
Duration March - May 2026
Key decisions made:
Analyzed commercial trash bin market to identify highest-volume, lowest-sales-friction segment
Selected ABS resin despite known UV sensitivity constraints because factory capacity and cost alignment made it the only viable option
Key decisions made:
Analyzed commercial trash bin market to identify highest-volume, lowest-sales-friction segment
Selected ABS resin despite known UV sensitivity constraints because factory capacity and cost alignment made it the only viable option
Key decisions made:
Analyzed commercial trash bin market to identify highest-volume, lowest-sales-friction segment
Selected ABS resin despite known UV sensitivity constraints because factory capacity and cost alignment made it the only viable option
Evaluated three-vendor supply chain structure, identified consolidation opportunity to improve material consistency and reduce process variables
Designed product features (handle geometry, bag compatibility, base protection) with manufacturing tolerances and field durability in mind
Evaluated three-vendor supply chain structure, identified consolidation opportunity to improve material consistency and reduce process variables
Designed product features (handle geometry, bag compatibility, base protection) with manufacturing tolerances and field durability in mind
Evaluated three-vendor supply chain structure, identified consolidation opportunity to improve material consistency and reduce process variables
Designed product features (handle geometry, bag compatibility, base protection) with manufacturing tolerances and field durability in mind
Strategic decision for commercial trash bin
Strategic decision for commercial trash bin
Bulk orders. No sales team needed. Higher margin.
Bulk orders. No sales team needed. Higher margin.
Commercial
Commercial
COMMERCIAL
Pro - Pre-manufacture bulk order, less management for sales
Con - Market dictator to one competitor
Pro - Pre-manufacture bulk order, less management for sales
Con - Market dictator to one competitor
Pro - Pre-manufacture bulk order, less management for sales
Con - Market dictator to one competitor
Consumer
Consumer
CONSUMER
Pro - Bulk can be via distributer
Con - B2C sales via individuals, prefers metal over plastic
Pro - Bulk can be via distributer
Con - B2C sales via individuals, prefers metal over plastic
Pro - Bulk can be via distributer
Con - B2C sales via individuals, prefers metal over plastic
Industrial
Industrial
INDUSTRIAL
Pro - Bulk order available
Con - Industrial market requires larger scale, manufacturing requires rotational molding (low speed or extreme investment mold for injection molding, limited material selection)
Pro - Bulk order available
Con - Industrial market requires larger scale, manufacturing requires rotational molding (low speed or extreme investment mold for injection molding, limited material selection)
Pro - Bulk order available
Con - Industrial market requires larger scale, manufacturing requires rotational molding (low speed or extreme investment mold for injection molding, limited material selection)
The key difference for supply chain for recycled resin may require extra supply chain
The key difference for supply chain for recycled resin may require extra supply chain
Supply chain diagram showing the multiple vendor touchpoints
Supply chain diagram showing the multiple vendor touchpoints
The key difference for supply chain for recycled resin may require extra supply chain
- Battling the cost against the virgin resin
The key difference for supply chain for recycled resin may require extra supply chain
- Battling the cost against the virgin resin
The Material Problem
The Material Problem
Understanding the process for recycled resins
Understanding the process for recycled resins
Recycled plastic feedstock isn’t consistent. Batch to batch, shrinkage rates change, color shifts, mechanical properties vary.
Recycled plastic feedstock isn’t consistent. Batch to batch, shrinkage rates change, color shifts, mechanical properties vary.
Examples of each step of the waste processed ->
Examples of each step of the waste processed ->
They are all mixed
Mixed properties
Key elements to consider in resin
ASH, Specific density, MI, Tensile strength, Elongation, Flexural Strength, Flexural Modulus, Izod, HDT
Key elements to consider in resin
ASH, Specific density, MI, Tensile strength, Elongation, Flexural Strength, Flexural Modulus, Izod, HDT
Manufacturing method in consideration
Manufacturing method in consideration
Injection Molding
Injection Molding
Injection Molding
Pro - production speed, complex geometry
Con - High tooling cost
Pro - production speed, complex geometry
Con - High tooling cost
Pro - production speed, complex geometry
Con - High tooling cost
Thermo Forming
Thermo Forming
Thermo Forming
Pro - Low tooling cost
Con - Slow production speed, limitation geometry, post treatment for cutout with cnc (slow production speed)
Pro - Low tooling cost
Con - Slow production speed, limitation geometry, post treatment for cutout with cnc (slow production speed)
Pro - Low tooling cost
Con - Slow production speed, limitation geometry, post treatment for cutout with cnc (slow production speed)
Compression Molding
Compression Molding
Compression Molding
Pro - production speed, lesser complex geometry (undercut)
Required extra pre-steps to produce in sheets/ or straight from extrusion (multiple types of compression molding method)
Con - High tooling cost
Pro - production speed, lesser complex geometry (undercut)
Required extra pre-steps to produce in sheets/ or straight from extrusion (multiple types of compression molding method)
Con - High tooling cost
Pro - production speed, lesser complex geometry (undercut)
Required extra pre-steps to produce in sheets/ or straight from extrusion (multiple types of compression molding method)
Con - High tooling cost
Heat Press
Heat Press
Heat Press
Pro - Low tooling cost
Con - slow production speed, simple geometry
Pro - Low tooling cost
Con - slow production speed, simple geometry
Pro - Low tooling cost
Con - slow production speed, simple geometry
Blow Molding
Blow Molding
Blow Molding
Pro - Low tooling cost, production speed
Con - Require pre-form manufacturing
Pro - Low tooling cost, production speed
Con - Require pre-form manufacturing
Pro - Low tooling cost, production speed
Con - Require pre-form manufacturing
Moto Molding
Moto Molding
Moto Molding
Pro - Lower tooling cost, scale
Con - Require pre-form manufacturing, production speed
Pro - Lower tooling cost, scale
Con - Require pre-form manufacturing, production speed
Pro - Lower tooling cost, scale
Con - Require pre-form manufacturing, production speed
Out of all the manufacturing process, injection molding was the best method for manufacturing with achieving the form and details that were able to be considered. Also noting the speed for production and minimum steps required for process and the feedstock was the key reason to be selected.
Out of all the manufacturing process, injection molding was the best method for manufacturing with achieving the form and details that were able to be considered. Also noting the speed for production and minimum steps required for process and the feedstock was the key reason to be selected.
Reducing steps to improve quality and manufacturing feasibility
Reducing steps to improve quality and manufacturing feasibility
Attempt to inject straight from regrind material could have been able to be achieved by compression molding. However, the trade-off was the geometry feasibility or the quality concern with injection molding method.
Attempt to inject straight from regrind material could have been able to be achieved by compression molding. However, the trade-off was the geometry feasibility or the quality concern with injection molding method.
ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene)
ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene)
Pro - durability, shrink rate, finish quality (surface)
Con - margin lower than PP. UV resistant
Pro - durability, shrink rate, finish quality (surface)
Con - margin lower than PP. UV resistant
Most important - abundant, available material output
Most important - abundant, available material output
Functionality and feasibility
Functionality and feasibility
Added feature to the design decision making
Added feature to the design decision making
Features considered - Stackable (minimize logistic fee) + Handles for the ergonomic
Flare shape up top for plastic bag to be held
Features considered - Stackable (minimize logistic fee) + Handles for the ergonomic
Flare shape up top for plastic bag to be held
Flare shape up top for plastic bag to be held as the warping in large flat surface without any element in the mid portion. Removing support strips for preventing warping.
Flare shape up top for plastic bag to be held as the warping in large flat surface without any element in the mid portion. Removing support strips for preventing warping.
1.2 draft angle applied achieving undercut for handles
3.5mm wall thickness for durability and reducing as much weight
Input design element to remove the rib in the middle to avoid engineered feeling of element
1.2 draft angle applied achieving undercut for handles
3.5mm wall thickness for durability and reducing as much weight
Input design element to remove the rib in the middle to avoid engineered feeling of element
Physical Design process available upon request
Physical Design process available upon request
Physical Design process available upon request
Finalized Design
Finalized Design
Finishing with VDI mold surface texture to reduce the wearing on surfaces as this product will be heavily used. Acid bath on the mold texture.
Finishing with VDI mold surface texture to reduce the wearing on surfaces as this product will be heavily used. Acid bath on the mold texture.
© 1700 STUDIO
© 1700 STUDIO
Industrial design, production
Industrial design, production
Contact
Contact
1700designstudio@gmail.com
1700designstudio@gmail.com