Making the world a better place might not have been the sole intention of Brighton Conde’s invention, but if it ever goes into production it will do just that for people who struggle on garbage day.
Brighton, now a sixth grader at Bellbrook Middle School, thought one day about how putting trash in the large trash can outside was a challenging task for someone like herself who is currently, let’s say, not as tall as her peers.
At the time of her invention, she said she thought it would help, “disabled people and short people like me.”
The crafty youngster admitted she used her verticle limitations as a fun excuse, saying “I can’t take out the trash, I’m too tiny.”
But she worked her way right out of that excuse with her invention, the Bin Buddy. The Bin Buddy is a hidden step on the larger residential rolling trash cans. The step would come out when needed so those who have trouble lifting the lid would be able to step up and easily deposit their refuse.
Brighton actually started the invention when she was in the Kettering school district – her family having relocated with the military. She went through several steps in the invention process, including surveying her community and talking to trash companies to see if anything like the Bin Buddy was in use.
Brighton won in the category of Industry Innovator Home Organization/Household Technology for grades K-5 
for the Ohio Inventors League. That win came during the Honda State Finals Invention Convention, held at Ohio University.
With the win in Ohio, she got to travel to the National competition and see the sights in Michigan while on hand for the convention.
After that, she was asked to speak at the 2024 Invention Convention in Ohio and gave what she called some inspirational points.
“One of the things I told them was that if you didn’t win it’s OK, you saw a problem and you tried to solve it, so you’re already a winner,” she said.
During the process, Brighton created a poster and models of her invention so she could give a presentation to judges. Everything she did had to be to the exact specifications of the competition.
Brighton said she liked seeing the other inventions during the competition, but doesn’t see “being an inventor” in the future. She did say, however, if she sees another problem she can solve, she’ll probably go for it.