What it does
Inspired by nature, Lotus Can features a lotus-leaf-like hydrophobic coating, biodegradable plastic body, and color-coded rings for waste sorting. It addresses hygiene and odor issues while enhancing user experience, sustainability, and functional innovation.
Your inspiration
The design concept of Lotus Can originates from nature-inspired innovation. After noticing theself-cleaning and water-repellent characteristics of lotus leaves, we developed a specialnano-material coating that mimics lotus leaves and is hydrophobic and oleophobic. Once thiscoating is applied to the inner wall of the trash can, the inner wall can be cleaned with just a simplerinse of water after each time the trash is emptied, eliminating the need for plastic garbage bags.
How it works
The Lotus Can's technical principle depends on nano-material coating.Mainly made of fluorinated polymers with great hydrophobic and oleophobicproperties, the fuorine atoms form a stable, low-surface-energy layer to repelwater, oil, and common waste substances. Moreover, it contains nano-sized silicaparticles. They create a lotus-leaf-like rough microtexture, trapping air tominimize contact area. So, waste slides off easily, keeping the can clean withoutgarbage bags. In addition, the body of the trash can is made of plant-basedplastic, which is environmentally friendly.
Design process
The design of Lotus Can originated from an engineering analysis of conventional trash bins, focusing on issues such as cleaning difficulty and reliance on plastic liners. We proposed enhancing self-cleaning performance by optimizing surface materials and simplifying the structure to reduce consumable use. During the concept modeling phase, we used PTC Creo 9.0 for parametric design and fabricated several 1:3 scale prototypes via FDM printing. The bin body was printed with PLA, while the modular color rings were printed in TPU to test their toughness and structural fatigue under repeated attachment and removal. For the inner coating, three anti-fouling materials—nano-fluorinated coating, silicone resin, and lotus-inspired biomimetic film—were tested in simulated waste scenarios including wet tea leaves, soy sauce, and cooking oil. Water contact angle and post-rinse residue were measured, and the nano-fluorinated coating (contact angle >127°, residue <5%) was selected. Structural optimization of the grip grooves was performed via stress simulation under varying grip forces to ensure both rigidity and ergonomic comfort. The final prototype integrates modular rings, hydrophobic coating, and biodegradable materials, achieving a balance between classification guidance,
How it is different
Lotus Can stands out for its seamless blend of biomimicry, sustainability, and user-centered design. While most conventional trash bins rely on plastic garbage bags and face criticism for poor hygiene and lingering odors, Lotus Can reimagines the waste disposal experience. Its interior features a hydrophobic and oleophobic coating inspired by lotus leaves, allowing residue to rinse away easily with just water—reducing odors and eliminating the need for harsh chemical cleaners. The bin is made of biodegradable bioplastics. Unlike ordinary bins that lack visual clarity, Lotus Can uses modular color rings to intuitively guide users in waste sorting—ideal for public spaces, offices, and homes where efficiency matters. Balancing function, environmental impact, and minimalist aesthetics, Lotus Can is more than a trash bin—it’s a design-led call for cleaner habits and greener living.
Future plans
In the future, we aim to expand Lotus Can’s use in public spaces like schools, offices, and malls. By combining color-coded rings with smart sensors, we hope to improve sorting efficiency. We also plan to explore lower-carbon biobased materials to reduce environmental impact. User experience will be refined through research, adding visual, tactile, and audio cues for better accessibility. Lotus Can is more than a bin—it’s a tool to raise environmental awareness. We look forward to broader promotion with partners across sectors.
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