Boston, MA - The Boston Globe:
Solar Trash Compactors Added

January 3, 2008 05:00 AM

SOLAR TRASH COMPACTORS ADDED - The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative has given the city two more solar-powered trash compactors, according to a statement from Mayor Kim Driscoll's office. The so-called BigBelly compactors, which are manufactured by Needham-based BigBelly Solar, were funded through a grant from the state's Renewable Energy Trust fund. Salem already had seven BigBellys, most of which were purchased using funds earned through the collaborative under a clean energy matching grants program. The compactors are powered with a 12-volt battery that runs on solar power. They hold about 200 gallons of trash, though the rubbish is compacted to about 20 percent of its original size. The compactor "uses solar energy to compact the trash so it doesn't have to get picked up as often," said Rick Gaudette, at BigBelly Solar.  - Erin Ailworth