Cleaner streets and built for winter performance in Saskatchewan

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Client:

Regina Downtown Business Improvement District

Application:

Downtown public-space waste infrastructure

A better public-space bin for a demanding downtown environment

Regina Downtown Business Improvement District introduced metroSTOR units within its public-realm waste infrastructure to test a more secure and better-contained alternative to older bins in a busy downtown setting.

The district was looking for infrastructure that could support cleaner streets, reduce litter, and hold a stronger standard in visible public spaces. It also needed to perform reliably through Saskatchewan winter conditions, where hardware failure can quickly become an operational problem.

Standard bins were not solving the real problem

Like many downtown districts, Regina was dealing with issues that standard bins do not address well. Open or less secure bins can contribute to litter, odour, fire risk, scavenging, and ongoing maintenance challenges in high-use public environments.

Winter reliability added another layer of pressure. Older bins with padlocks had already created problems in harsh conditions, so any replacement needed to remain functional, secure, and serviceable through extreme cold.

As the district worked to improve broader streetscape conditions, it needed infrastructure that could support a cleaner, safer, and more controlled public environment over time.

“We have been extremely happy with the MetroStor bins. Since installing the two units, we have noticed a clear reduction in litter. Having the garbage fully enclosed has made a real difference.”

Enclosed infrastructure designed for cleaner, more reliable operation

Regina Downtown deployed metroSTOR RCF35 trash enclosures to provide a more secure and better-contained alternative to older public bins.

The enclosed design helped reduce access to waste after deposit while keeping disposal straightforward for everyday public use. That improved containment and supported a cleaner surrounding environment.

The units also introduced a stronger locking and door system than the district had previously been using, giving Regina Downtown a more robust public-space waste format in a setting where both misuse and weather performance matter.

Less litter, no fire attempts, and reliable winter performance

Following installation, Regina Downtown reported a clear reduction in litter around the pilot locations. While the district did not have formal measurement data, the team also observed that the area seemed noticeably cleaner in terms of smell.

Safety was another standout result. According to the district, there were zero fire attempts involving the metroSTOR bins, while older bins had been frequently targeted.

“Another major benefit has been safety. There have been zero fire attempts involving the MetroStor bins, whereas our older bins were frequently targeted.”

The units also proved their value through winter. Regina Downtown reported no issues even in temperatures from -40°C to -50°C, with locks and doors continuing to perform exceptionally well throughout harsh conditions.

That reliability was especially important in a climate where public-space infrastructure has to keep working through prolonged extreme cold, not just in ideal conditions.

“They have also proven to be very reliable in our harsh winter conditions. Even in temperatures ranging from -40 to -50°C, we experienced no issues at all. The locks and doors performed exceptionally well, far better than our older bins with padlocks, which often caused problems.”

What this shows for public-space waste infrastructure

The Regina Downtown pilot shows how enclosed public-space waste infrastructure can improve day-to-day conditions in a practical way: less litter, better containment, lower exposure to interference, and more dependable performance through severe winter conditions.

For downtown districts and municipalities, that matters because public-space waste infrastructure has to do more than hold volume. It has to support cleanliness, safety, and reliable operation in environments that are visible, demanding, and difficult to manage with standard bins alone.

For Regina Downtown, the overall result was straightforward: the metroSTOR bins represented a clear improvement over the older format they had in place.

“Overall, the MetroStor bins have been a significant improvement for our downtown.”

Nelson Mitchell, Operations Manager
Regina Downtown Business Improvement District

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