Introduction: Cardboard Waste Tower
I made this when I moved into my dorm room at college and got fed up having such a messy trash and recycling situation. I designed something to elegantly separate trash from paper recycling and plastic/metal recycling. Having just moved to New York City, I was inspired by the efficiency of building upward. So I decided to make the Waste Tower...
I designed the Waste Tower to hold standard size office waste bins.
This is one of those projects that are pretty self explanatory. I could give you the dimensions and layout to cut the cardboard exactly how I did but I didn't keep those notes and you will probably learn something planning it on your own.
MATERIALS
Cardboard: I get my cardboard from bicycle shops and ask if they have any bike boxes. They always have a couple around and each box has two good sized panels to work with.
Tape: Duct tape or packaging tape
TOOLS
box cutter or exacto knife
something to cut on: a piece of cardboard works but preferable is one of those cutting mats
Check out more of my work!
wastecog.tumblr.com (for a quick and fun but limited selection)
Wastecog.com (for a more in-depth look)

Participated in the
Cardboard and Duct Tape Contest
17 Comments
8 years ago on Introduction
Wow, that's a really neat idea. I'll definitelly try to persude the guys at the offcei we need to do a project like this.
10 years ago on Introduction
Have to have thing:D
10 years ago on Introduction
Nice!!!
10 years ago on Introduction
Lovely idea!
10 years ago on Introduction
Excellent.
10 years ago on Introduction
Great idea! And you can apply it to organizing virtually anything, not just trash!
10 years ago on Introduction
good design
10 years ago on Introduction
I like the design and the fact it looks nice also! Thanks for sharing your hard work and do have a splendorous day!
sunshiine
10 years ago on Introduction
Cool design!
10 years ago on Introduction
i love this idea!!
10 years ago on Introduction
This combines my favorite carnival attraction with my least favorite activity.
10 years ago on Introduction
Hi - we live in a flat with no in house storage for recyclables either so the bins kinda just sit around looking horrid - - this is a fantastic idea - might not use the same materials but the design is great, plus could be pained to match our walls if I used MDF or such..
Thanks for such a brill instructable.
DZ
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Hey thanks, yeah i built it as a prototype while I was in a metal fab class and i was imagining making it out of sheet metal. But the cardboard prototype worked so well i kept it and thought of another idea for the class. Other materials might look nicer and I encourage you to explore, but dont under estimate the structural capabilities of cardboard!
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Never - did you ever see the guy who built a bike out of cardboard on Youtube - fantastic build.
DZ
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Oh yeah, incredible
10 years ago on Introduction
Nice touch with those cardboard hooks on the wall. So rad.
GM
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Thanks man!