Disbin is the eco-concept of Helen Mays, a New Zealand writer and designer. Helen is a dedicated recycler and all her many design concepts are around eco-friendly products or services.

“I like to be innovative and resourceful and I’ve always been a big fan of recycling and reuse while keeping a low carbon footprint."

The Disbins can be used as a means of communicating with women, as Disbin’s collaboration with Youthline NZ proved. "We arranged with Youthline to put their "Text us for Counselling" sticker on the sanitary bin. A girl can be in the toilet stall and connect with Youthline in total privacy.

The Disbin range can convey messages and sponsorship. The bins are low cost and have a low carbon footprint.

Self-managed recycling at source can help everyone meet their recycling objectives.

The first Disbins went directly to city and district councils. They embraced the concept, knowing what a difference it could make to their sewerage and solid waste issues

“I even got a written endorsement from the Palmerston North City Council.”

Youth hostels and backpackers around New Zealand and Australia are also good customers.

The NZ Government uses Disbins at Scott Base Antarctica and now the Australian Government also uses Disbins at Scott Base.

The small plastic wall clip was designed by Helen’s son, Isaac Mays, an industrial designer.

“ It means clients can choose whether to hang the Disbin on the wall or sit it on a dry floor.. Food waste bin concept:

The use of corn starch bags for food waste collection isn’t new, but making a cardboard bin for the food waste to be collected in is a new concept. The holes in the cardboard Disbin disposable food waste bin mean the Biobag inside the bin can breathe, allowing aerobic decomposition of the food scraps.

It enabled food collection at Massey University for the first time and continues to serve at Agresearch.. As the bin is cardboard, it is considered a consumable and not a capital expense.

“The bins are sturdy and can last a long time.”