Designers in the Ubuntu community are contemplating a redesign of the iconic trash icon found in the Yaru icon theme. The trash icon, which serves as a default highlight on the Ubuntu dock, has not seen a cohesive design in years. Its visual inconsistency, particularly the full-colour icon which resembles a postbox instead of a traditional bin, has prompted calls for an update.
Over the years, the trash icon has evolved, but the current design—a bin with an oddly shaped opening—does not effectively convey its purpose. This confusion led to discussions among designers about improving its look and functionality. The goal is to create an icon that is easily recognizable and reinforces the operating system’s identity.
Designer ~ochi12 has reopened discussions on the Yaru GitHub, gathering ideas to create a more conventional trash can design. After several iterations, the proposed new icon is more tub-like and includes a 3D perspective, making it distinctive yet cohesive with other Yaru icons.
While nothing is finalized, the design is expected to undergo additional changes before Ubuntu 25.10 is released on October 9, 2025. The redesign could enhance user interaction with the trash icon and align better with the principles of good iconography, thus improving the overall user experience on Ubuntu.
For ongoing updates and discussions about the design changes, you can follow more on the Yaru theme on GitHub: Yaru GitHub Discussions.