Why is the BigBelly solar powered?
Solar power enables BigBelly to be placed virtually anywhere outdoors and is a clean renewable energy source that is good for the environment.
What are the benefits of BigBelly?
Onsite compaction reduces trash pickups, saving time, money and fuel and reducing greenhouse gas and other air pollutants.
Where are BigBellies currently being used?
BigBellies are deployed across the US and in ten countries around the world in cities and towns, parks and beaches, universities, zoo's and amusement parks...
Does BigBelly have a public relations benefit?
Yes! BigBelly is a practical and visible demonstration of green technology that gets the attention of the press and public. See press section of website for examples of the kind of coverage and attention that BigBelly receives.
Is advertising available on the BigBelly?
Yes. Advertising panels on the sides of the machine are an available option.
How reliable is the BigBelly?
A New York Case study found 99.8% up time in a heavy-use and demanding environment.
Does BigBelly require direct sunlight and will it work if it is not a sunny day?
BigBelly does not require direct sunlight. As long as BigBelly's solar panel can "see" the sky he can operate.
What kind of maintenance does BigBelly require?
BigBelly is a very low maintenance system. Keep the unit clean and replace the battery every 3 to 5 years.
How do you clean a BigBelly?
Power wash the unit inside and out (not including the top electronics compartment) as needed. Recommended cleaning agents are listed in the manual.
Is the BigBelly animal resistant?
Yes. BigBelly's enclosed design keeps raccoons, squirrels, birds and other animals out of the trash. A bear resistant latch is an available option (and is also handicap accessible).
What are the safety features of the BigBelly?
The trash collection hopper prevents hands from reaching into the compaction area. The unit is locked and will not operate when the front or top doors are open. The machine runs on a safe low voltage system.
How does BigBelly know when to compact the garbage?
BigBelly compacts automatically when his electronic eye tells him the trash has reached a target level.
Do I have to empty the BigBelly?
Yes. The BigBelly holds five times the volume of a traditional trash can and will need to be emptied when the yellow indicator light is flashing.
Does the trash come out as dense as a brick?
No. Although BigBelly will compact trash to 20% of its normal size, the trash is not compacted into a brick and will not in any way inhibit sorting or recycling.
Is BigBelly expensive?
BigBelly is part of a trash collection system that saves, time, money and fuel. It delivers an impressive ROI with a payback of less than 1.5 years in busy locations and significant ongoing savings.
How energy efficient is the BigBelly?
BigBelly gets 100% of its energy from the sun. It uses less than 5 watt hours per day. Driving a garbage truck for one mile is the equivalent energy of running a BigBelly for 8 years!
