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
7 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.
8 years ago on Introduction
Have to have thing:D
9 years ago on Introduction
Nice!!!
9 years ago on Introduction
Lovely idea!
9 years ago on Introduction
Excellent.
9 years ago on Introduction
Great idea! And you can apply it to organizing virtually anything, not just trash!
9 years ago on Introduction
good design
9 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
9 years ago on Introduction
Cool design!
9 years ago on Introduction
i love this idea!!
9 years ago on Introduction
This combines my favorite carnival attraction with my least favorite activity.
9 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 9 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 9 years ago on Introduction
Never - did you ever see the guy who built a bike out of cardboard on Youtube - fantastic build.
DZ
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Oh yeah, incredible
9 years ago on Introduction
Nice touch with those cardboard hooks on the wall. So rad.
GM
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Thanks man!