ashion tacitly spotlights recycling (see the proliferation of vintage stores). Similarly, a recent City of Montreal-sponsored contest has made recycling fashionable. In a bid to encourage more Montrealers to participate in recycling programs, the competition called for the design of a more manageable recycling bin that retained its size but eschewed its awkwardness.

From the throng of hopefuls, Claude Mauffette Design Industriel (CMDI) emerged triumphant with a tall-drink-of-water of a container with an anti-raccoon lid (poor Burt) and chic thin body (thin chic is huge right now (see Vince Chase)). The Montreal-based firm has received past adoration and accolades for its modern but workable designs, from sofas to corkscrews. CMDI has designed trophies before; perhaps it should create one for itself.

The new easy-to-carry bin will allow a free hand for door opening and feral animal fighting. Old-school recycling bins drew complaints for their obstinate non-malleability and bulkiness. CMDI's new model will hopefully do away with dropped cans (that tin-on-floor sound has a horrible Pavlovian effect on me) and door-to-curb stumbling.

Though Bin 2.0 (a non-official sobriquet) currently exists solely on paper and e-paper (i.e. computer screens), a tangible version will endure field tests in the coming months, with a projected 2009 full release, thus giving you time to cope with the notion of losing a sticky old friend (i.e. your current bin). -S.T.