Method Recycling

What Method Recycling does

Method Recycling designs and manufactures modular office recycling systems built around two flagship bins — a 60-litre unit for open-plan workspaces and a 20-litre (Method Twenty) unit for smaller spaces — manufactured from injection-moulded Polypropylene with 50–80% post-consumer and post-industrial recycled content. The core technical differentiators are a patented Bag Retainer System that conceals liners while keeping them hygienic to service, a modular Connector architecture that lets bins be linked side-by-side, to walls, or back-to-back, and Method InSight, a data-led waste-monitoring layer that tracks contamination patterns and supports NABERS-ready reporting. Bins are color-coded by waste stream and supported by a signage, Precycler, and accessory ecosystem.

The company sells primarily through two channels: a direct e-commerce storefront (including a 'Build My System' configurator) for unit and small-volume purchases, and an enterprise inquiry channel with an industry/role selector covering architects, facility managers, sustainability managers, government, healthcare, hospitality, and waste management providers. Pricing is unit-based, with 60L bins ranging from approximately $143 (Open Lid) to $250 (Confidential Paper, Touch Lid). Documented enterprise customers span Microsoft (ANZ), Xero, Canva, Westpac NZ, the Australian National Maritime Museum, Otago University, McConnell Dowell, Kathmandu, and the UK Design Council, with reported outcomes including 35–84% landfill diversion improvements, a 40% contamination reduction at Microsoft via InSight, and $22,000 projected annual savings at the Australian National Maritime Museum.

The business is privately held, co-founded by Steven Korner (CEO, formerly of Fisher and Paykel's neonatal product design team) and India Korner. Headcount is reported at 1–10 employees, with a headquarters in Wellington (90 Abel Smith Street), a regional office in Sydney (388 George Street), and a UK presence in London operating from a co-working space. The company is B Corp certified (re-certified 2025 with a score of 116.9 and Best for the World recognition in 2022) and was previously known as Total Bins. Funding disclosed in the input data consists of three non-dilutive Callaghan Innovation grants totaling approximately NZD 194,736 across 2018, 2020, and 2021; no venture equity rounds are referenced.

Name

Method Recycling

Legal name

Method

Website

https://methodrecycling.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Method Recycling designs and manufactures modular, design-led office recycling bins (60L and 20L) and a data-monitoring add-on (InSight), selling via e-commerce and enterprise channels to corporate, education, cultural, retail, and public-sector customers across New Zealand, Australia, and the UK.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Recycling Equipment

NAICS

Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing (339940)

SIC

Partitions, Shelvg, Lockers, & Office & Store Fixtures (2540), Office Furniture (No Wood) (2522)

akta.pro primary industry

On-site Recycling Programs (Single-Stream, Source-Separated) (BPABALAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Recycling, Trash & Waste-Sorting Station Organization (HSAFAJAH)

Keywords

• Office recycling bins
• Waste management systems
• Modular recycling stations
• Commercial recycling solutions
• Sustainable workplace design

Headquarters

HQ city

Wellington

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Recycling Bin Hardware Sales: One-time purchase of physical recycling bins (60L and 20L models) with various lid types, colours, and waste stream designations. Accessories including connectors, lids, signage, and liners sold separately.
2. Accessories and Replacement Parts: Ongoing sales of spare parts, liners, connectors for station building, and replacement components for existing bins.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Method Recycling designs, manufactures, and sells modular office recycling bin systems (60L and 20L models) made from injection-moulded Polypropylene containing 50-80% recycled plastics. The system uses colour-coded lids, intuitive signage, and strategic placement of visible communal recycling stations to drive behavior change in workplaces, supplemented by the Method InSight data platform that monitors waste data and identifies contamination patterns.

Product overview

Method Recycling offers a modular office recycling system consisting of two primary bin sizes (60L and 20L) along with accessories including Precyclers, Connectors, signage, and lids/bases. The 60L is the flagship large-capacity bin for open-plan offices, while the 20L (Twenty) is a compact option for smaller spaces. Bins feature color-coded lids for different waste streams and can be connected using Connectors to form flexible recycling stations. Method InSight provides data-led waste management capabilities. The system is designed to be visually prominent in workspaces to encourage proper waste sorting behavior.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Method 60L Large-capacity 60-litre recycling bin designed for open-plan offices and high-traffic areas. Made from injection-moulded Polypropylene with 50% recycled materials. Features modular design allowing bins to be connected side-by-side, to walls, or back-to-back using Connectors.
• Method Twenty (20L) Compact 20-litre recycling bin designed for smaller spaces including meeting rooms, kitchenettes, studios, and residential settings. Made from injection-moulded Polypropylene with 80% recycled content. Features integrated easy-grip handle for effortless emptying into larger stations.
• Method InSight Data-led waste management technology that monitors waste data, identifies contamination spikes, optimizes cleaning routes, reduces liner usage, and delivers NABERS-ready reporting for measurable behavior change outcomes.
• Precyclers Desktop recycling bins designed to bridge the gap between individual workspaces and central recycling stations, making it easy for staff to separate waste at their desk before depositing at central hubs to reduce contamination at the source.
• Connectors Hardware accessories that lock 60L bins side-by-side, to walls, or back-to-back. Available in 2 or 3-bin station sizes with Expansion Kits allowing linkage of two Connectors together for larger station configurations.
• Bin Lids and Bases Colored and labeled lids matching industry standards for different waste streams (Open Lids and Touch Lids available). Bases in signature matte black color. Waste stream options include General Waste, Mixed Recycling, Organics, Glass, Paper, Landfill, Soft Plastic, Coffee Cups, and Confidential Paper.
• Signage Custom and generic labeling systems for bins including front vinyl, back and front bin labels, and custom single-stream bins with labels, designed to help users accurately sort waste and reduce contamination.

Quantifiable outcome

• Microsoft ANZ achieved 84% diversion from landfill with Method system
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Design Council (UK)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Design Council, created by Winston Churchill's government in 1944, was an early adopter of Method bins in the UK. The partnership validates Method's design-driven approach to recycling behavior change. Sarah Weir OBE, Chief Executive of Design Council, stated the power of design to make meaningful change to larger societal issues is limitless.
• KaicycleminorOthersWellington's urban farm, local composter, and community educator that collects organics from Method's Wellington HQ. Partnership supports Method's internal waste diversion and demonstrates circular economy practices.
• APC Waste ConsultingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWaste consulting firm engaged by Australian National Maritime Museum to complete waste audit and advise on appropriate waste plan for their facility.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Busch Systems: North American manufacturer of recycling, waste, and compost bins for offices, schools, and public spaces. Closest direct peer given overlapping product categories (modular bins, multi-stream stations) and similar B2B/campus customers.
• CleanRiver: Recycling and waste management solutions provider offering bin systems, signage, and program consulting for offices and institutions. Comparable on the bundled 'bins + behavior-change program' value proposition Method sells.
• Bigbelly: Smart waste and recycling bin manufacturer with sensor-based fill-level monitoring and analytics. Closest analog to Method InSight's data-led approach, applied primarily to outdoor public-space bins.
• Simplehuman: Design-led manufacturer of premium home and office products including sensor bins. Comparable design philosophy (form, behavior change, premium pricing) applied to office/workspace waste solutions.
• Ecobin: Australian designer and manufacturer of modular recycling bins and waste-sorting stations. Most direct ANZ competitor given overlapping geography, customer base, and design-led positioning.
• Glasdon: UK-based manufacturer of street furniture and recycling bins for local authorities, universities, and commercial sites. Relevant peer given Method's UK presence and similar customer verticals.
• United Receptacle: Manufacturer of indoor and outdoor waste receptacles including recycling containers for offices, schools, and public spaces. Comparable product breadth and customer mix in commercial bin categories.
• Frost Products: Commercial washroom and recycling fixture manufacturer serving facility management and architectural customers. Comparable channel mix (specifier-driven sales, FM procurement).
• Recycle Away: Specialty distributor and brand of recycling bins for offices, schools, and public venues. Comparable focus on multi-stream recycling infrastructure for workplace customers.

Broad incumbents

• Rubbermaid Commercial Products: Large incumbent in commercial waste, cleaning, and material-handling products including recycling containers. Competes in the same category as Method but as part of a much broader portfolio at commodity price points.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/methodrecycling
• Facebookfacebook.com/methodrecycling
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/method-recycling

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Method Recycling