At its best, modern design trends win the skirmishes in the timeless war against the detritus of living. The Roman aqueducts come to mind here, as does the advent of indoor plumbing (though anyone who’s traveled to the UK might feel they still have a ways to go).

Stainless Steel Waste Bin. Designed by Eva Solo.

Beyond bare solutions, however, sophisticated design solves such dilemmas with certain refinements: aesthetic appeal, attention to the details, perhaps a touch of humor. Eva Solo’s Stainless Steel Waste Bin is the latest notable in the aforementioned war: it’s everything you thought a trash can could never be—stylish, functional, and smart. Think of a typical waste disposal strategy in a typical residence. What images come to mind? Here’s my sad short list: ugly, flimsy, Wal Mart-esque plastic; assorted unmentionable drippings and smears; bacteria-laden surfaces; cumbersome bags that seem glued to the bin. Eva Solo’s Waste Bin addresses each of the failings in this lamentable picture. In a coup of intelligent design, the Denmark design firm Tools (Copenhagen-schooled Claus Jensen and Henrik Holbæk) have solved the messiness of trash. The bin’s principle innovation is a floating lid technology that let’s you open it from any side and any angle. The lid—which, when removed, looks like a smallish charger—features an edge that tucks neatly into a groove in the can’s inner surface. The result is a presto-chango kind of magic act that allows the lid to dance along the surface. Anyone who’s ever battled with a trash can for crucial kitchen space can appreciate this flexible feature.

But wait. There’s more! The bin also features a removable rubber-coated o-ring that holds the liner in place, so no more disappearing bag, sucked under a vortex of tightly-packed trash. The ring keeps your bag where you want it: in the bin, out of sight, and above the rising tide of refuse, which also helps control spill-over and the attendant bacterial deluge. The shape of the bin is a problem solver, too, as it facilitates ease of bag removal. Lastly, the removable lid doubles as a refuse collector; you can take it across the room to where your dotty aunt has spilled the Cheerios, then back to the can to make a neat and germ free deposit. And did I mention it looks good? The polished stainless finish is versatile and easily integrated with modern kitchen schemes. Kudos to Eva Solo and Tools for paying attention to the details.

See Eva Solo for further info.