Responses to an online survey of six trash can models tested by the San Francisco Public Works as part of a two-month pilot program found no clear winners or losers, as most were not interested in each design.
The San Francisco Trash Can Contest is over, with the audience choosing the best of six designs. Now, judges, also known as city officials, are reviewing the reviews, and the winner is expected to be announced in November.
After spending nearly four years and $550,000 to develop the next city trash can, the long awaited wait for the next city trash can is almost over.
More than 1,000 responses from street people who took part in an online survey in a two-month pilot showed no clear winners or losers among the six models tested, but the trash cans generated some strong feelings.
The survey is just one of many numbers that the Public Works Department will consider when making a decision. It will be months before any new cans, which could be released in stages, hit the streets.
In general, respondents were dissatisfied with the majority of cans. About 40 percent or more of respondents said they were “not impressed” with any of the six models other than that they liked the can or thought it was okay.
Two jars stand out in that they create a polarized response. BearSaver has the highest percentage of those who said they liked it (32%), but a significant percentage of respondents were unaffected (44%). The “Salt & Pepper” can — shaped like a salt and pepper shaker — is the second most loved model, with a quarter saying they loved it, but over half of respondents (55%) were unimpressed by it. The “Salt & Pepper” can – shaped like a salt and pepper shaker – is the second most loved model, with a quarter saying they loved it, but over half of respondents (55%) were unimpressed by it. The Salt and Pepper jar, shaped like a salt and pepper shaker, is the second most popular model: a quarter said they liked it, but more than half of respondents (55%) weren’t impressed. “Salt & Pepper”罐——形状像盐和胡椒瓶——是第二受欢迎的模型，四分之一的人表示他们喜欢它，但超过一半的受访者(55%) 对此不以为然。 “Salt & pepper” 罐 罐 形状 像盐 和 胡椒瓶 胡椒瓶 胡椒瓶 是 第二 受 欢迎 的 模型 四分之一 的 人 他们 喜欢 它 ， 但 超过 一半 受访 者 者 者 对 此 不。。。 以为然 以为然 以为然 以为然 以为然 以为然 以为然 以为然 以为然 以为然Баночка Salt & Pepper в форме солонки и перечницы была второй по популярности моделью: четверть сказали, что им она понравилась, но более половины респондентов (55%) не согласились. The salt and pepper jar of Salt & Pepper was the second most popular model, with a quarter saying they liked it, but more than half of respondents (55%) disagreed.
The least controversial is probably “wire mesh”, which is most similar to a traditional trash can. Relatively few said they liked (13%) or disliked (39%) the design, while almost half (47%) said “it’s okay”.
The survey also asked respondents if they liked certain aspects of multiple choice canning. For example, when asked which banks they like, the survey lists seven attributes (eg appearance, ease of use) and asks them to tick all they agree with. The same format was used for questions about respondents’ dislike of each design.
Many critics, including several executives, have complained about the lengthy process and high cost of replacing the current green containers, which are often overflowing and easy to hack.
Using custom made cans instead of buying pre-made cans makes the process more expensive and time consuming. But officials say existing canisters are not small enough to fit on San Francisco’s narrow sidewalks, large enough to hold a 32-gallon container, and robust enough to prevent break-ins and cleanup. The city also said the jars should be equipped with an electronic sensor that will sound an alarm when the containers are full.
However, custom design comes at a cost: A prototype of the most expensive Soft Square model costs $20,900. Regardless of which model the city chooses, the goal is to mass-produce a single tray costing between $2,000 and $3,000. The city plans to replace all 3,000 cans.
After the boycott, the city agreed to try out three finished models. The city placed six models on street corners in two different batches around the city over the course of a month, with a QR code on each can that people could scan to leave a review.
The city received 1,027 survey responses, some in Spanish and Chinese, which the Chronicle translated and analyzed.
Responses ranged from a thoughtful comment – “I appreciate that the door can be operated with your foot” – to warm compliments – “I like the unique design, very sci-fi” – to outright disappointment – “Just b – choose one, don’t waste it.” your time and money.
Some wonder if custom-made jars are beautiful and functional enough to justify their cost.
“We have better things to spend our taxes on than stupid trash cans. Please stop this nonsense,” wrote one respondent.
Public Works also developed a custom design through social media, email and phone calls, the city’s 311 hotline for in-person feedback gathering at community events, surveys of scavengers who emptied trash cans and public works employees who repaired, maintained and cleaned them. as well as conversations. with companies is possible.
The four vertical sides of the BearSaver can accommodate custom vinyl graphics. A recycling container can be added to the side of the can. This jar is made by Securr.
BearSaver had the largest share of respondents who said they “liked” it, at 32 percent. The reasons people prefer canning are the materials and ease of use. However, a significant number (44%) disapprove of the design. Most of all, the absence of recycled components and the overall appearance of the can cause criticism.
The jar was the least popular of the six, with only 9 percent saying they “loved it!” As with BearSaver, respondents’ biggest complaints were about the absence of a processing section and the appearance of the can. However, almost half of the respondents (43%) said they liked the ease of use.
The “Salt & Pepper” shaker-shaped can stand out for its shape and overall look, with more than 40% saying they liked these features. The “Salt & Pepper” shaker-shaped can stand out for its shape and overall look, with more than 40% saying they liked these features. The salt and pepper shaker can stand out for its shape and appearance: over 40% said they liked the features. “Salt & Pepper”形状的摇壶因其形状和整体外观而脱颖而出，超过40% 的人表示他们喜欢这些功能。 “Salt & Pepper”40% 的人表示他们喜欢这些功能。 Шейкер «Salt & Pepper» выделялся своей формой и внешним видом: более 40% сказали, что им понравились его функции. The Salt & Pepper shaker stood out for its shape and appearance, with over 40% saying they liked its features. But the same number of respondents did not like the small opening of the trash can (50%) and the accumulation of garbage outside the tank (39%). In addition, only 22% of respondents said the bin was easy to use, the smallest percentage of the six cans.
The “Slim Silhouette” rivals the “Salt & Pepper” bin in its overall look and shape, with about half of respondents saying they liked the can because of these features. The “Slim Silhouette” rivals the “Salt & Pepper” bin in its overall look and shape, with about half of respondents saying they liked the can because of these features. Контейнер «Slim Silhouette» соперничает с контейнером «Salt & Pepper» по внешнему виду и форме: около половины респондентов сказали, что им понравилась банка из-за этих особенностей. The Slim Silhouette container rivals the Salt & Pepper container in terms of appearance and shape, with about half of the respondents saying they liked the can because of these features. “Slim Silhouette”的整体外观和形状可与“Salt & Pepper”垃圾桶相媲美，大约一半的受访者表示，由于这些特点，他们喜欢这个罐头。 “Slim Silhouette” 的整体外观和形状可与 “Salt & Pepper” Общий вид и форма «Slim Silhouette» сравнимы с мусорной корзиной «Salt & Pepper», и около половины респондентов сказали, что им понравилась эта корзина из-за этих особенностей. The overall look and shape of the Slim Silhouette is comparable to a Salt & Pepper wastebasket, and about half of the respondents said they liked the basket because of these features. However, half of the respondents criticized its small trash can opening, and a quarter said they found trash on the outside of the can. And compared to other designs, relatively few said it was easy to use (24%).
It should be noted that the “Soft Square” was not liked by the majority of respondents. Only 11% said they “liked it!”, while 56% said they disagreed. Compared to the other five banks, a large percentage of respondents (31%) said the bank had been damaged in some way (such as graffiti or debris) and lacked the noticeable positive qualities that many respondents liked.
“Wire Mesh” ranks first in ease of use. Two-thirds of respondents said that’s why they like canned food, the highest percentage of six to date. However, almost half of the respondents said they would appreciate recycled components, and few liked the material, shape and overall look of the can.
Mallory Moench and Nami Sumida are staff writers for the San Francisco Chronicle. Email: mallory.moench@sfchronicle.com nami.sumida@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @mallorymoench @namisumida
Nami Sumida is a data visualization developer at the San Francisco Chronicle. Before joining in 2021, she created data-driven graphics for Industry Dive, a business news company spanning over 20 industries. She also has research experience in journalism and media at the Pew Research Center.
Mallory Moench is a reporter for the San Francisco City Hall. She joined the San Francisco Chronicle’s reporting business in 2019 and has also covered wildfires, transportation, and the coronavirus pandemic.
She previously covered immigration and local news for the Albany Times Union and the Associated Press Alabama Legislature. Prior to that, she worked as a freelancer while attending the Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York, focusing on the Yemeni diaspora.