London's new bomb-proof trash cans will survive the apocalypse, keep you updated on stock prices
London will be the first city to test out new bomb-proof garbage cans, which are also going to multitask as recycling bins with LCDs that stream travel info and news. Security concerns (AKA fear of terrorists dropping bombs in them) have kept rubbish bins out of subway stations and many of the city's streets since the mid-80's, causing frustration among citizens, not to mention what amounts to forced littering. The new cans, developed by British company Media Metrica, weigh one ton each, and were tested in the lifeless deserts of New Mexico for five years to ensure they are completely, totally indestructible, can absorb heat from explosives, prevent shrapnel spread, and extinguish "fireballs." Eh. Put 'em in New York City -- someone will surely figure out how to utterly destroy them in 24 hours or less.























Why make it easier for anyone with bad intentions? Putting these there will make it harder for anyone to put a bomb in a place no one would suspect.
Complete waste! a) People get their latest financial info (and all else) on their mobile phones - and have done for the last 5 years while these bins were being tested. b) Terrorists will simply use cars, regular trash bags left outside for the trashmen or even food containers that are stored outside restaurants. It never ceases to amaze how companies will seek to profit from disaster without thinking first. The best way to stop terrorists is through public diligance. No better way to stop something bad happening than the ages old 'tip off'. "Oi, Mr. Policeman, see that chap over there, sweating as he leaves his car outside that club fast walking away..."
"It never ceases to amaze how companies will seek to profit from disaster without thinking first."
No, the companies are thinking quite well.
The government's the one not thinking first... no, wait, they get to skim overhead out of every tax dollar that they handle/allocate on its way to useless projects.
Looks like the people are the ones who aren't thinking first... and quite frankly, the stupidity of many people ceased to amaze me a long time ago.
Mr indestructible trash can meet Mr termite...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEmHJORTlqk
sorry that was Thermite*. The the other one wouldn't work so well... unless it was made of wood.
Works on Terminators too.
These people need to visit Paris. Their trash system consists of a simple metal hoop with a green biodegradable trash bag hanging from it.
You couldn't hide a bomb in there unless you were quite determined. Most of the bags were kept quite empty by street crews constantly zipping by swapping the bags out whenever they neared full.
British could never implement the Paris-style trash bag system. It is too simple and the British invented N.I.H., The Not Invented Here syndrom. If they didnt think of it it must be no good.
actually the british have a very similar style, at least at some places... a ring attached to a wall with a lid, a clear transparent plastic bag hangs from it so all contents are easily viewed. quite handy...
Couldn't a determined terrorist simply booby trap a bomb to explode when the bin was opened for emptying hence destroying the entire idea?
you could, but there is no guarantee you create maximum carnage or disruption, which is the intention.
You might just get one guy at 4am and even if you phoned in a fake bomb threat to create chaos you could easily deal with it if it's in a bomb proof box to begin with.
"Please people refreain from dumping your new G1 into these bins" recycle them responsibly...
Hiding in a dumpster has never been as such a good idea as now.
Bloop beep boop de boop...... I don't like you guys talking about me like im some terrorists...
It's nice to know that cockroaches will have garbage bins when they take over the world after the nuclear holocaust...
I was wondering why there were no trash cans anywhere when I wanted to throw something away. I knew I should of blamed the terrorists.
I thought it was because they didn't want to hire people to pick up all the trash bags.
Lol @ AL
My money is on the "..or less."
need a whistle blower to find out how much bribe the government took when they signed the deal.
Bloody hell, I don't care if the bins are bomb proof or not I hate carrying my rubbish around for half an hour until I find a bin!
That's what open car windows are for.
as a point of fact, these trash cans do have a valid and reasonable point. that is this: if you put out trash cans that arent bombproof, a terrorist will likely exploit it because you usually cant see the contents. if you put out bombproof trash cans officials dont have to worry about bombs being put in them and the public is happy because they have public trash cans again. they may cost a bundle but think about what london has been paying because the extra litter laying around had to be picked up by someone, and it takes a lot longer if 99% of it isnt already in a bag. all those extra hours and extra workers needed were costing enough to make these cans viable. my closing reminder is this, its not like they were replacing old trash cans with new ones... they didnt have trash cans and now they do, and its as safe as its always been, just less litter and a good old can to throw your rubbish in. oh and the city will no doubt run ads on the lcd screens to earn the money back that they spent on them.
I second that and thank you for saving me a post, you wrote everything I was thinking.
Cheers
It doesn't stop any gas-based attack device of course, in fact throw it in there with a timer and it's extra secure while it counts down, but at that point the advertising company already got the government to pay for their bomb-proof ad-pilars... sorry I meant 'informational safety concerned disposal units'.
Fill it with water, drop a bomb (yes there are bombs that explode under water ) and let it explode. There is no way that the trash can will survive the blast. There goes the english antiterrorist money. :)
The thing is made by a advertising company, who paired up with a company that make blast absorbing trashcans (or dustbins if you will), so that 'travel info and news' is nonsense, it's a way for an ad company to get the government to pay them to put their ad displays at busy spots.
They cost £30, 000 each!
WTF, you sure? That's such an incridible BS rippoff, you can make blastproof dustbins for 1/10th of the price and be luxurious, and if you keep it simple and just make a double-walled bin where you fill the empty space with sand for 50 quid.
Or to make it even more simple, just dig a hole underneath a bin and put a plastic bag in it, the trash falls in the bag in the hole in the ground and any explosion is absorbed by the earth.
wow they really threw a lot of money in the trash on this one... literally
If New Mexico is lifeless then how am I posting this message? Someone help me I don't know what to do. I mean on one had I believe everything Digg says. On the other I am in New Mexico. Does this mean I'm actually NOT alive?????
-Lifeless in NM
You really don't comprehend the lack of trash cans in Britain. For years, they were used by the IRA for bombings. They got rid of trash cans pretty much everywhere (I distinctly remember that there are none in train or underground stations, nor near them on the street). Rather, the local governments hire a ridiculous amount of people to clean up trash all day, every day.
Bomb-proof trash cans will put British, particularly Londoners, at ease and may end up saving money depending on how many staff they can lay off as a result.
In terms of terms of LCDs with streaming news, I'm sure Londoners will LOVE that. I think they're going to be very popular.
"lifeless deserts of New Mexico...excuse me but there are SOME of us who LIVE there...bastards...yes there are bombing ranges but these deserts are quite inhabited!!!
LMFAO...tears
Modern society can't be trusted with trash cans, sneakers/shoes, nail clippers, scissors, antibiotics without a perscription...
But at least trash cans are going back on the permitted list. Granted instead of a couple hundered bucks for a sturdy can't-break-me can and a $25 lock and chain we have these behemoths for what, $50K each? I'm sure that will go over well given the expected budget deficits coming for 2009.
And really, being heavy just means they're *less* mobile - not immobile. How about if someone manages to roll one in front of a subway in NYC? That'll be a lot more trouble than a 50LB trash can of yesteryear.