Why You'll WANT to Talk to a Trash Can in Disney World

Disney World experts know that the park trash cans are NOT to be ignored.

There are different trash can designs all over Disney World (we definitely have some favorite Disney trash cans!), but have you ever heard of…a talking trash can? No, we aren’t kidding!

EPCOT, an acyonym for “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow,” has always been about the future. Originally intended to be a utopian city designed by Walt Disney himself, EPCOT has since evolved into a unique Disney Park where the future and technology take the stage.

Over the past few years, EPCOT has been in a major state of transformation, and we had to say goodbye to many of our favorite EPCOT staples back in 2020. The Electric Umbrella, a popular quick service restaurant, was one such spot — though you can now eat at its successor, Connections Cafe and Eatery. But there has been one thing missing from the new cafe…and that was a talking trash can. (Yes, really.)

Sadly, there were no signs of the famous talking trash can after Electric Umbrella was closed…until now! Now located in the Odyssey Center, you can talk to a trash can again (truly a dream, right?)! It looks like a regular ol’ trash can but don’t be mistaken — this thing can talk to people and all you have to do is push the lid to throw away your garbage.

For example, one time it told us, “What are you doing? Stop that!” when we pushed the lid. Other times we’ve heard it talk about what it ordered, and once it even said thank you!

Note that this can is different from another interactive trash can from the past, PUSH, which you could find in Magic Kingdom until 2014. PUSH actually roamed around Tomorrowland, so it’s not the same as the talking trash can.

The Odyssey Center is also home to the 2022 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival booth Brew-Wing, so grab some wings and talk to a trash can! Just don’t try to talk to any other trash cans, because they (probably) won’t talk back.

We’re keeping our eyes on the EPCOT construction progress so keep checking back with us for more news. Currently, we can see the new Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana attraction being built!

Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana construction

Even with all the construction, there’s still PLENTY to do in EPCOT right now. Eat your way through the Food and Wine Festival, ride the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind roller coaster, or check out the new France pavilion expansion!