Smart bin receives 2026 Australian Good Design Award

Smart bin Borrow by Huskee has been named a 2026 Australian Good Design Award Winner, recognised for excellence in design, innovation and impact in the Product Design – Commercial and Industrial category.

Designed in Australia by Huskee, a BioPak brand — in collaboration with Fossick Studio, Particle Design Studio, Tom Kulaga and Simon Kobler — Borrow was developed to address one of the biggest challenges facing reusable packaging systems: getting reusable products back into circulation.

Rather than functioning as a conventional waste bin, the smart bin is an IoT-enabled return point designed to make returning reusable cups and containers convenient. The system combines QR-enabled access, a gravity-driven mechanical system, modular architecture and dual power capability to support reuse across a range of environments.

“Making reuse work at scale is about much more than designing a great reusable product. We need to make the return journey just as easy, intuitive and convenient as picking up the product in the first place,” said Saxon Wright, Huskee co-founder and Chief Sustainability Officer at BioPak Group.

“That’s what we set out to achieve with the Borrow Smart Bin. By combining thoughtful industrial design with technology and a simple return experience, we’re removing friction from the reuse system and making it easier for people to do the right thing.

“Being recognised by the Australian Good Design Awards is a great endorsement of the thinking behind the system, and importantly, its real-world impact. We’re proud to see a project designed to help move reuse forward, recognised for both its innovation and its practical application.”

The Australian Good Design Awards jury recognised the project as an example of design thinking applied at a systems level, noting its ability to address convenience as a key barrier to reuse adoption.

Watch how the Borrow by Huskee smart bin works in the video below.

BioPak CEO Guy Brent also commented on the significance of the award for the BioPak Group and the company’s mission towards circular solutions.

“Reuse plays a critical part in our BioPak portfolio, one where we are continuing to take responsibility and champion end-of-life solutions for our customers. What this award recognises is not only our leading edge in packaging design but also the importance of making sustainability practical, putting people at the heart of the packaging we use daily. We’re eager to see growing adoption across the country.”

The prestigious award comes as the Australian Good Design Awards celebrate this year’s theme, ‘Design that Leads’, highlighting the role design can play in tackling complex challenges and creating meaningful change across society, industry and the environment.

The 2026 Australian Good Design Awards Ceremony took place on Friday, 9 October at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney, bringing together more than 1000 guests from across design, architecture, engineering, business, government and the wider creative industries.

Image: Supplied