Talking waste bins encourage people to sort waste

Sorting plastic and glass waste seems to be a small example of heroism in our everyday lives, because we think far more about time, distance and hurriedness than we do about environmental benefits. That’s why we joined with Eco Baltia and decided that the heroes who overcome these small obstacles and themselves so as to sort their waste should be “thanked” in the here and now. Furthermore, the thanks are not quiet and polite (as is common); no, they are noisy and attractive so that everyone in the city centre of Rīga hears them! We also wanted to talk to those in whom the everyday heroes are still snoozing, doing so in a new way and showing them how easy and even exciting the sorting of waste can be … if only the individual starts to do so.

How best to distribute this information? Without any unnecessary intermediaries. We worked with the interactive art laboratory “Connection” to install a special system of sensors and sounds on waste bins, allowing the waste bins to talk, sing and discuss how hungry they are. Where? By the Daile Theatre. This is a part of town in which people love to hear the specific voices of the actors Artūrs Skrastiņš and Vita Baļčunaite. The bins ask people to pick up bottles from the ground to ensure a more environmentally friendly situation, or else to help to find a plastic bottle that responds to the name “PET.” These requests resound in the voices of the beloved actors.

It worked! Eyewitnesses sent videos showing the process to TVNET and to social networks. All of the country’s major Internet news portals reported on the project. The television show “Environmental Facts” discussed it. Radio stations included the project in morning news competitions, and we ourselves videoed the reactions of passers-by. What was the result? In emotional terms, this was an opportunity to thank the most loyal sorters of waste and to show others how easy and exciting it is to do so. In practical terms, 275 kg of glass and plastic were sorted in two days’ time – 3.5 times more than average. People who experienced the situation were happily surprised, and 10,000 people who watched our video on the Internet left many inspiring comments on the various sites. 

The waste bins are currently silent and catching their breath. What’s the point to more talk? It’s time to get busy! We will whisper, however, that those waste bins still have many surprises inside themselves. Just keep that in mind!