background
how can I sponsor a ubu/binner?
can a non-binner obtain a ubu?
what is binning?
Binning is the scavenging of recyclable beverage containers and other reusable materials and products from our waste stream for reuse or resale. Binning is a means for a growing number of individuals to immediately earn a few extra dollars, while filtering out recyclable and reusable materials from our waste stream.
what's a binner?
A binner is what people who collect reusable and recyclable materials from the waste stream call themselves. Binners are sometimes referred to as dumpster divers, but perhaps a more appropriate designation should be urban recycler.
what is a ubu?
Short for “urban binning unit”, the ubu is a utility cart that has been purposely designed for binning activities. The ubu is both a pushcart and a bicycle trailer, which operates quietly and can be binner owned. The ubu is lightweight and collapsible, making it easy to carry up a flight of stairs, store in a small space or take on transit.
why a ubu?
The ubu aims to provide the urban recycler with a specialized tool for their trade, while helping to increase the public awareness about binning in an effort to build healthier and more cohesive communities. Did we also mention the ubu is much quieter than a shopping cart?
what are the benefits?
There are many, but one of the most obvious is that the ubu operates quietly, which helps to alleviate some of the noise often attributed to binning activities. Less noise is not only an advantage for residents living along laneways, but also for a napping baby out for an afternoon stroll or even for the recycler, enabling them to safely hear a vehicle approach from behind.
The look of the vibrant green ubu speaks recycling and entrepreneurship, helping to shed the stigma that is often attached to a borrowed shopping cart.
what is United We Can?
Located in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, United We Can is a "street charity that means business". The organization endeavours to create self-sustaining enterprises that demonstrate responsible environmental stewardship, while generating jobs for people whom often have multiple barriers to re-entering the workforce. Their main enterprise is a bottle depot that funnels millions of dollars back into the local economy via refunds on returned beverage containers. The depot services the community 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
how does the ubu fit in?
The bottle depot at United We Can generates a surplus from handling fees, which it uses to incubate other enterprises that fit well with their goals and objectives. Some of the other current enterprises include: street cleaning and graffiti removal, commercial beverage container pickup, bicycle sales and repair shop, discarded plant shop and a donated computer and repair shop.
United We Can feels that the ubu binner's cart has the potential to improve and evolve the current working conditions for binners, increase the current level of recycling and promote cohesion within the community.
how much does a ubu cost?
We have developed a model where urban recyclers do not pay any money out of pocket. We are able to do this by introducing recyclers to local businesses who have agreed to donate their empties on a regular basis. The individual is trained on how to service the client and the refund from these empties are used to pay down the binner's contribution toward the ubu. Once the cart has been paid off, the ubu is theirs to keep, as are the clients and the future revenue they earn from servicing the pick ups.
what if a ubu is stolen?
We've lent out 10 ubus for over a year now on a trial basis to test for durability, usability and general interest. Remarkably, all of the carts are still accounted for. Just in case, each ubu has its own serial number and a security cord and combination lock are provided.
how can I sponsor a ubu/binner?
If you appreciate the service that urban recyclers provide, why not say so by sponsoring a ubu. If you're a business, we can place your logo right on the side panels of a cart. If you are an individual, you may choose to place a personal greeting, some artwork or perhaps donate the space to your favourite NGO.
how can I advertise on a ubu?
Advertising on a ubu is easy. Just download this form, fill it out and mail it back to us with the appropriate funds. We'll also need a digital copy of your logo or image for placement on the ubu advertising panel. An .eps (encapsulated postscript) format works best. Please email your logo here.
can a non-binner obtain a ubu?
Currently, we do not offer ubus to non-binners. However, if a large enough demand is created, we may produce a special batch for sale to non-binners. If you are interested, would like more information, or would like to place yourself on a waiting list for the first batch of non-binner ubus, click here to let us know.