Walt Disney World Resort’s rolling replacement of trash and recycling bins across its theme parks reached new corners of EPCOT on Tuesday.
The Replacement Project
Since June, Walt Disney World Resort has been systematically swapping out traditional waste receptacles across its theme parks and on-property locations with a new generation of themed, solar-powered bins designed by Walt Disney Imagineering. The outdoor models use solar panels to power interior compactors that condense waste, allowing custodial cast members to change bags less frequently. Indoor versions carry the same design without the solar panels on top.
The change has generated debate among Disney Parks regulars. The rounded tops of the new cans can’t support food trays or drink cups the way the flat tops of the old receptacles could — eliminating a widespread dining workaround that guests have relied on during crowded EPCOT festival seasons for years.
The bins are also touchless, opening with a foot pedal rather than a push-down lid. The change confused enough guests that Walt Disney World Resort released an instructional video showing visitors how to use them.
Walt Disney World Resort has confirmed that the new bins will eventually be installed throughout the property, including at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, both water parks, Disney Springs, and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
What Arrived at EPCOT on August 18
WDWNT reported on August 18 that a new wave of themed bins had appeared at EPCOT, primarily in indoor locations.
At The Seas Pavilion, dark blue and black trash and recycling cans have replaced the previous waste receptacles on both the first floor and the upper level. Each features the starfish-shaped logo from The Seas with Nemo & Friends on the side.
At The Land Pavilion, beige trash and recycling bins have been installed across multiple floors inside, with at least one solar-powered outdoor unit confirmed near the building’s exterior. The cans carry The Land’s green-and-red logo on the side. Near Soarin’, silver round-topped bins with the minimalist yellow-and-red Soarin’ logo have also appeared. The only remaining original waste receptacles inside The Land Pavilion are the fixed wall-mounted units inside Sunshine Seasons — whether those will be replaced hasn’t been addressed.
In and around CommuniCore Hall in the World Celebration neighborhood, blue, gray, and white bins featuring the EPCOT globe logo have also been installed.
Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t provided a specific completion timeline for the trash can replacement project, but the pace of Tuesday’s update suggests the rollout is moving through the parks more quickly than it did at the start.
Where have you noticed new trash cans at Walt Disney World Resort? Let Disney Dining know in the comments!
