I predict that a consequence of the horrific Boston bombing will be a change in how we dispose of stuff in public places and at public events.

Trash cans are about to disappear, or radically change.

We visited London last fall, where our son Alex was studying abroad. Walking to the Tube one morning, I looked around for a place to get rid of my coffee cup. There wasn’t a trash can to be seen anywhere. I asked Alex about it, and he remarked that there were very few trash cans anywhere in London.

I eventually found one, but it was a clear plastic bag hanging from the wall. As time went on, I noticed that this style of refuse container in a lot of places.

When I was Alex’s age, bombings in London and Ireland were somewhat common, as a result of what the Irish called “The Troubles.” It was obvious that one lesson British authorities learned was not to place large, opaque containers, which could also become shrapnel themselves in public places.

I predict the same thing will happen soon in the U.S., if it isn’t already.

As a foornote, in looking for pictures to accompany this post, I ran across this shot of a bomb-proof trash can put into place for the 2012 Olympics, with space for ads.

Ahh, commerce.

I’ll bet we start seeing these soon as well.

Regardless, if I had stock in companies that make garbage cans, or mailboxes, for that matter, I think I’d sell it.