San Francisco’s new trash cans, which previously drew criticism for their exorbitant prototype costs, are making a comeback and are expected to be installed soon.
In July 2021, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved a project from the Department of Public Works to create custom designs for the city’s sidewalks.
Originally, the prototypes raised eyebrows with an estimated cost of $20,000 each, alarming residents still reeling from the extravagant spending linked to former DPW director Mohammed Nuru.
The initial fear surrounding costs mitigated when it was revealed that the final production price for these trash cans would likely drop to around $3,000, the average price for standard commercial receptacles.
Fast forward three years, and the design dubbed the ‘Slim Silhouette’ has emerged as the favored choice from several prototypes tested across the city streets.
Reports indicate that production of the cans is set to begin, with hopes that the first canisters could be seen on street corners by the year’s end.
These aren’t just ordinary trash bins; the new cans are designed with a sleek stainless steel finish and feature two compartments—one for waste and another for recyclables—each with separate locked internal bins accessible to Recology workers for emptying.
Despite ongoing budgetary challenges, the project has remained in the works.
Department of Public Works spokesperson Rachel Gordon has confirmed that they are working to secure a vendor for the production of 3,000 Slim Silhouette cans at the targeted $3,000 price point.
Gordon shared with the Chronicle that the new design has undergone further refinements following a pilot test in 2022, and they are eager to roll out an initial limited number of cans for further testing.
“We want to put out a limited number right away to test them, to see if they’re working,” Gordon stated, expressing optimism about aligning with the budget once a manufacturer is finalized.
City officials’ long-standing debates concerning the utility of trash cans on streets have involved opinions suggesting a reduction in overall litter with fewer cans.
Former Mayor Gavin Newsom previously argued in 2007 that too many trash cans led to increased litter, prompting a significant cut from 4,500 to roughly 2,000.
But years later, under Mayor Ed Lee, the number of trash cans increased, with approximately 3,000 now in operation.
Recently elected supervisor Danny Sauter believes this quantity is insufficient for his busy district, which includes North Beach, and advocates for more trash cans to be installed.
The pressing concern remains the replacement of the old cans, and whether future funding will accommodate additional units needs to be seen.
As the city marches toward the anticipated launch of these new trash cans, there is a cautious optimism that they will enhance San Francisco’s cleanliness and recycling efforts, while also addressing past fiscal concerns.
image source from：sfist
