Keep Denmark Tidy
Trash Tube Pilot Project
Changing habits
In the spring 2011, Goodmorning Technology carried out a user centered research and design project together with The Danish Design Centre and Hold Danmark Rent (Keep Denmark Tidy). The findings of the project showed that drivers are aware that littering in the nature is wrong. However, as our research showed, people need further help to get motivated to act on their beliefs.
We found that 59% of drivers throw trash out of their car window and every year the Danish Road Directorate spends about DKK 22 million on cleaning this up. This means that there is a need for a change in the Danes’ behavior and there certainly is a lot to economize on. Hence, we wanted to show how design can be incorporated in the development and application of new methods and tools to change people’s behavior when it comes to littering.
The trash tube is one of the results of the project. This is now going to be the remedy to get cleaner roads. With this, it will become easier for drivers to get rid of their trash as they don’t even have to get out of their cars/trucks. The trash tube is made in a functional and user friendly design. Because of the size of the trash tube, it is possible to reach it from the window of the car/truck. We have even made it easy to use when it gets dark as we have installed LED-lightning in the rim. Therefore, there are no longer any excuses for throwing out trash in the nature!
With this project, we want to show the importance of design. If we want people to change behavior when it comes to littering, it has to be simple, convenient and not to mention fun. Herby drivers get motivated to change. The trash tube, we believe, is all this.
For now, the trash tube is a pilot project. It will be set up and tested at two lay-bys in Jutland for three months. Hereafter, it will be adjusted and developed further to encompass an integrated Trash Lane which will make it even easier for drivers to get rid of their trash. The goal is to change people’s behavior when it comes to littering and to gather 25% more trash. Hopefully, it will be set up in the rest of Denmark and who knows maybe in the rest of the world.
