European cities reacted with their own standardised bins, like this one from Basel, Switzerland. It bears the name of its inventor, Jakob Ochsner (1858–1926).
Standard Swiss bin
Basel, Switzerland, ca. 1935–1940
© Historisches Museum Basel, Andreas Niemz
Standard Swiss bin
Basel, Switzerland, ca. 1935–1940
© Historisches Museum Basel, Andreas Niemz
Rubbish can be dangerous.
At the turn of the century, attitudes towards waste changed. Trash was now considered dirty and harmful, rather than a useful resource. Municipal waste management became a pressing issue in the 20th century.