Case Study:

Econix

August 17, 2026

Developing a Secure Bio-bin® Housing for Healthcare Environments

Product development rarely stops with the first design. Real-world use provides valuable insight into what works, what can be improved and where further innovation can make a difference.

Our ongoing work with Econix is a great example of that process.

Wybone has been working with Econix to develop a secure housing specifically for its Bio-bin® product, helping address the challenges associated with using clinical waste containers within busy hospital environments.

Following the manufacture and trial of an earlier version of the housing, Econix gathered feedback from its customers and brought those findings back to our team. Together, we have used that feedback to further develop the product, introducing new features and refinements designed around how the units are actually being used on hospital wards.

The latest units represent the next stage of that collaboration and are now being introduced into healthcare environments for a further round of trials.

The Challenge

Econix’s Bio-bin® range provides sustainable clinical waste containers used within healthcare environments for a variety of waste streams, including infectious, offensive, cytotoxic/cytostatic, anatomical and medicinal waste, as well as hazardous chemicals and general non-infectious waste.

On hospital wards, Bio-bin® products can be used as standalone containers. Econix identified a need to provide its customers with an additional level of security around the container, particularly by restricting access to waste once it had been deposited.

The solution couldn’t simply be an off-the-shelf enclosure. It needed to be designed specifically around the Bio-bin®, remain practical for healthcare staff and complement the product itself.

Wybone had previously designed and manufactured a secure housing for Econix, which allowed the product to be introduced into real healthcare environments and evaluated by its customers.

That first round of use generated valuable feedback and highlighted opportunities to take the design further.

One of the key challenges identified was overfilling. Econix needed a simple and effective way of indicating when the Bio-bin® had reached its intended capacity, without compromising how straightforward the unit was to use.

Alongside this, the next iteration needed to continue addressing the original requirements around security, accessibility, mobility and hands-free operation.

Solution

Rather than starting again, our design team used the feedback from the previous units as the basis for the next stage of development. Working closely with Econix, we refined the secure housing and introduced features specifically designed around the way the Bio-bin® is used within healthcare environments.

A key development improving the fill-level pendulum mechanism. The mechanism is designed to help prevent the Bio-bin® from being overfilled. Once the contents reach the designated level, they meet the pendulum, preventing the unit from closing correctly. This gives staff a clear physical indication that the Bio-bin® has reached capacity and requires attention. Working on real-time feedback, we adapted the mechanism to operate better alongside the internal liner.

According to Econix, Wybone was the only manufacturer to provide a solution to this particular challenge.

The latest housing also incorporates:

Anti-retrieval aperture – designed so waste can be deposited while restricting access to items already inside.
Secure lockable housing – providing an additional physical barrier around the Bio-bin® and its contents.
Hands-free foot pedal – allowing staff to operate the unit without needing to open the lid by hand.
Bespoke side retainers – designed specifically around the Bio-bin® to hold it correctly in position and open during use.
Integrated castors – making the unit easier to manoeuvre around hospital wards when required.
Fill-level pendulum – providing a straightforward mechanical way of indicating when the Bio-bin® has reached capacity.

The result isn’t simply a modified version of an existing Wybone product. It is a purpose-built housing that has continued to evolve through collaboration, testing and customer feedback.

Outcomes

The latest secure Bio-bin® housings have now been manufactured and are entering a second round of hospital trials.

This is an important stage of the project. Rather than considering the initial design the finished product, feedback from its use has been brought directly back into the development process, allowing Wybone and Econix to produce a more refined solution for the next trial.

For Econix, the project has resulted in a bespoke product designed around the specific requirements of the Bio-bin® and the healthcare customers who use it. For Wybone, it demonstrates the value of combining our in-house design and UK manufacturing capabilities with the specialist knowledge and real-world feedback of our customers.

“During our initial conversations with Wybone, we brought them a complex problem with a unique challenge which we had found difficulty in finding a solution for. We didn’t simply want an off-the-shelf enclosure for our Bio-bins; we wanted something that was practical, durable and professionally designed and could stop users putting their hand into the bins, while also complementing the sustainability and appearance of the Bio-bin. Wybone listened to our ideas, offered practical advice and helped refine the design into a finished product that we’re genuinely proud to put in front of our customers. The quality of the finished units is excellent, and the attention to detail throughout the design and manufacturing process has really stood out, in particular working with Hannah and Dan, the design team who were fantastic. We chose to work with Wybone because of their professionalism and industry expertise.”

Dan Maudsley, Managing Director of Econix

The next round of trials will allow Econix to gather further feedback from hospital teams and evaluate how the latest developments perform in day-to-day use.

As those units are put to work on wards, we’ll continue working alongside Econix to learn from their performance and explore opportunities to further develop the solution.

Products Featured in Case Study

Secure Bio-bin® Housing

The Secure Bio-bin® Housing is a bespoke, lockable bin enclosure developed by Wybone for Econix’s Bio-bin®, providing a secure solution for the collection of medicinal waste within hospital environments.

Designed specifically around the dimensions and functionality of the Bio-bin®, the enclosure helps prevent access to deposited waste while allowing healthcare staff to dispose of items safely and conveniently. The housing combines an anti-retrieval aperture, hands-free foot pedal operation and integrated castors with bespoke features developed exclusively around the Bio-bin®.

Following feedback from an earlier version supplied by Wybone, the latest design has been further refined to include a new fill-level pendulum, helping prevent overfilling and making it easier for staff to identify when the Bio-bin® has reached capacity.

Key Features

Secure, lockable housing – helps restrict unauthorised access to the Bio-bin® and its contents.
Anti-retrieval aperture – allows waste to be deposited while helping prevent items from being retrieved once inside.
Fill-level pendulum – designed to prevent overfilling by stopping the unit from closing correctly once the Bio-bin® reaches its intended capacity.
Hands-free foot pedal – allows users to operate the housing without opening the lid by hand.
Bespoke side retainers – developed specifically for the Bio-bin® to hold the container open and correctly positioned during use.
Integrated castors – allow the housing to be moved more easily around hospital wards when required.

Ideal Applications

The secure Bio-bin® housing has been developed for healthcare environments where additional security around clinical waste containers is required, including: