A Garbage Can That Has A Symbiotic Relationship With Its "On Board" Living Plant

Is there really any such thing as waste anymore?

It's taken us centuries upon centuries to realize, but I think that it's finally imprinting in our noggins that the by-products of the various industries and activities that we engage in can almost always be converted into something that takes on a new life.

Personally, I'm getting more accustomed to the idea of "garbage" actually being a resource and that concept is applied with great success in the Envi waste receptacle which is now among the top contenders in the second round of the design competition called BraunPrize 2009.

The sleek-looking stainless steel, aluminium, glass, polypropylene and polyethylene container converts biodegradable waste into beneficial compost which then nourishes the plant within -- plus, any excess compost can be removed and used for gardening or household plant applications.

According to the designer, "This project uses bio-reactive substances based on photo catalysis to accelerate the degradation process of waste, remove bad smells and polluting gas. It is an indicator of human activities on our environment. If the people action is positive the plant grows up, if not it will disappear."

I think that what they're trying to say is that the health of the plant living in the Envi garbage can is entirely dependent on the judicious disposal of organic waste material by the population at large.

If we're irresponsible and throw away plastic junk (instead of recycling it) or we fail to dispose of organic-based items that will nourish the plant once they decompose, then we can be held responsible for the plant perishing.

In theory, this seems like such a sensible (and kind of sweet) notion, but the biggest problem in our culture and world is that people just don't seem to care about anything beyond their own immediate spheres.

Despite that bummer of an observation, I think that the Envi garbage can would do quite well in households -- particularly in those that are on the green bandwagon or earnestly trying to make an eco-friendly lifestyle adjustment.

What are your thoughts? Would Envi make it in the big bad world at large, whether in a grocery store, park or other public area?