Since May, Walt Disney World Resort has been installing a new series of solar-powered trash cans at EPCOT. The receptacles use solar panels to power an internal compactor, enabling them to hold more waste and allowing custodial cast members to empty them less frequently. However, the latest solar-powered trash can to appear at the Central Florida Disney park has us scratching our heads…
Solar Powered Trash Can…Indoors?
On Wednesday, WDWNT reported that another of the solar-powered trash can models had appeared at EPCOT, this time in the Mexico World Showcase Pavilion. Perplexingly, though, this waste receptacle is indoors…making it impossible for the internal compactor to operate on solar power.
Located near several merchandise kiosks and the entrance to the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros attraction, this new trash can is the same brown color and general shape as the other solar-powered trash cans that Walt Disney World Resort debuted this year. It features the same foot pedal for opening, making it more hygienic for Disney Park guests to use.
Nevertheless, Walt Disney World Resort is ahead of the curve. This version of the updated trash cans at EPCOT does not have solar panels on top (presumably because it will be used indoors). Otherwise, it is identical to the new models that have popped up around the World Showcase.
Also on July 8, Walt Disney World Resort seemingly removed the patriotic versions of the solar-powered trash cans from the American Adventure World Showcase Pavilion. It’s unclear whether they were removed for maintenance, to remove the American flag decals following the July 4 holiday, or for some other reason.
Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t commented publicly on the installation of the new solar-powered trash cans at EPCOT. Some Disney Parks fans have complained about the upgrade, as many guests use the top of waste receptacles as impromptu dining tables during busy festival seasons at EPCOT.
Have you ever eaten off one of the trash cans at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park? Disney Dining would love to hear from you in the comments!
