the dangers of universal design

In a café (Tully's). The thing you throw away most often (coffee cups) are no more distinguished than things you would probably never dispose off here (chinese takeout boxes). This design runs the danger of being designed for everywhere and being good nowhere. Unless, of course, the person trying to figure out whether the item they have in hand already knows what 'compostable' means - in which case the sign privileges cultural knowledge of a category ('compostable'). Or, as in my case, there is a helpful store employee who notices my confusion and helps identify the right bin.

linking here