Ucan Launches Untrash Can™ and Untrash Bag™ to Improve Food Recycling

Municipal waste agencies and haulers to distribute cans and bags for composting

Ucan Untrash Cans are the first compost bins designed to improve consumer adoption of food waste recycling. Cans and bags are available at www.ucanproducts.com (Photo: Business Wire)

MENLO PARK, Calif.--()--Ucan, a sustainable products company, today announced the launch of the Untrash Can and the Untrash Bags for residential food recycling. The cans and bags are available to municipal waste agencies and waste haulers through distributors and to consumers direct from the company and partner web sites. The cans will be available through national retailers starting January.

“More than 180 US cities and towns have adopted curbside composting in the past three years,” said Anne Morrissey, Ucan co-founder and CEO. “But consumers still throw food in the trash. Ucan gives cities new tools for compliance; these are kitchen cans and bags with high design values that spur adoption through performance, ease of use and aesthetics.”

Ucan is the first company to address composting compliance through design. Ucan recruited leading industrial designers, Branko Lukic and Steve Takayama, formerly of IDEO, to reimagine the kitchen compost bins supplied by cities and waste agencies. Ucan also went back to the drawing board on compostable bags, seeking a sturdy, non-ripping material that’s plant-based and, unlike the dominant PLA designs, won’t break down with moisture.

Design spurs adoption

“Consumers really care about bin design,” said Signe Gilson, Vice President of Waste Diversion, CleanScapes, a major West Coast waste hauler. “We know from experience. I think the Ucan bin looks great, which makes a difference in consumer adoption.”

The Untrash Can is made in the United States from a minimum of 50 percent recycled plastic, with a handle that folds away, interior bag holder and unique lid design that allows consumers to empty the contents with one hand.

“We designed the can to remove the ‘ick’ factor of food waste recycling,” said Morrissey. “Compliance correlates with ease of use, proximity to the sink and performance. The Untrash Can reduces smells, keeps hands clean and, unlike municipal eyesores, is something that consumers are proud to have in their kitchens.”

The Untrash Bag is made with Mirel*, a plant based compostable material that has the durability and strength of plastic but is 100 percent compostable and certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute. “Consumers are more likely to adopt composting behavior if they use a bag that doesn’t rip, tear or leak,” said Morrissey. “It’s not susceptible to moisture or water and breaks down naturally with bacteria.”

Pricing and availability

The products are available to municipal waste organizations and direct to consumers through the Ucan site and partner sites. The Untrash Can is available for $24.99 MSRP. The Untrash Bags are 3-gallon biodegradable trash bags that are sold in boxes of 18, 3-gallon compostable trash bags for $5.99 MSRP and 10, 13-gallon compostable bags for $8.99 MSRP.

About Ucan

Ucan Products is a sustainable products company that designs, develops and markets in-home waste separation products. Its goal is to make everyday chores easier and to increase adoption of green behaviors. For more information visit www.ucanproducts.com.

* Copyrights are property of their respective owners.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50102801&lang=en

Contacts

Ucan Products
Anne Morrissey
anne@ucanproducts.com
415-987-3386
or
Owen Media
Paul Owen
paulo@owenmedia.com
206-200-6936

Release Summary

Ucan launches Untrash Can™ and Untrash Bag™ to improve food recycling. Municipal waste agencies and haulers to distribute cans and bags for composting.

Contacts

Ucan Products
Anne Morrissey
anne@ucanproducts.com
415-987-3386
or
Owen Media
Paul Owen
paulo@owenmedia.com
206-200-6936