If you haven't noticed some unfamiliar waste bins popping up around EPCOT lately, you're not alone — but for the devoted fans who've long treated the park's trash cans as a cultural touchstone, the change is hard to miss. Disney World has been gradually swapping in a new generation of trash cans, and the rollout is picking up pace.
The new bins share design DNA with models seen at Disneyland Paris. Practically speaking, they come with a few real upgrades: solar panels on top to collect energy, and a push-down bar mechanism that opens the lid without requiring guests to touch the door directly — a small but welcome change during a busy festival day. The cans are also noticeably taller and more angular than their predecessors, and the curved top makes the old trick of using them as impromptu dining tables considerably trickier.
The latest batch has appeared in EPCOT's World Celebration area, and they feature the park's classic logo. When the old and new models sit side by side, the size and shape difference is immediately obvious. Disney has accounted for the lost tabletop real estate by installing fence-style communal tables large enough for groups to set food on while standing together — so festival snacking in the open air remains very much on the table, so to speak.
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The transition is happening gradually, and it's unclear when the full swap will be complete, but the new cans are steadily becoming part of EPCOT's everyday scenery. Disney Food Blog has the full photo breakdown of the changes.
