Pasadena, CA - Pasadena Star-News:
Solar trash cans a success; city will buy 40 more
October 6, 2009 04:51 PM
Trash-collection "hotspots" that require frequent visits by public works crews will soon be outfitted with time-saving trash compactors that derive their energy from the sun.
Following a 2007 pilot program in which four solar-powered trash compactors were installed around the city, the City Council has voted unanimously to ... purchase 40 more.
The BigBelly Solar Trash Compactors crush garbage automatically. They will be placed in areas that produce the most garbage and will only need to be picked up on a weekly instead of a daily basis.
"There's a savings to be had because they require less frequent pick-ups," Councilwoman Margaret McAustin said. "They were very successful and they were very well received, and because they can accommodate more trash they result in less garbage around the trash cans."
The savings in labor costs will pay for the cans in about 3 years, according to Pasadena Public Works Director Martin Pastucha. The cans will also help reduce the city's greenhouse gas emissions since garbage trucks will go out less frequently.
The unusual appearance of the BigBelly also gets people's attention, Pastucha said.
"It does attract attention and in that regard it does attract people to it and so hopefully they'll utilize it," he said....