Sandra Wärenhed | 2023-04-19
You have likely seen a solar outdoor public-use compactor while out and about and confused it for a normal trash can. They can look like a cross between a trash can and a mailbox. These machines often come in pairs – one for trash and one for recycling – and they have remarkable technology.
These solar outdoor public-use compactors are smart devices that have sensors allowing them to read the receptacle’s fill level in real-time. When the machine reaches a certain capacity, it will automatically crush the waste to make space for more trash. Once the receptacle is completely full, it can then send a signal to the city’s waste managers that the bin is ready for pickup.
Not only do these compactors offer an effective waste management solution utilizing solar energy, but by cutting back on the number of trash pickups required and communicating directly with the waste management crew, these machines are also helping the environment by reducing the number of trips that the massive garbage collection trucks need to make. That means less gas burned, less time idling, less carbon emissions and less air pollution.
There are many economic benefits of using solar outdoor public compactors for the cities and the companies implementing them. Fewer trash pickups mean less money spent on the cost of labor, equipment and gas typically required for waste collection.
These compactors are especially helpful when it comes to bulky recyclable waste. Bottles, cans, and cups tend to take up a lot of space in trash cans, especially in public spaces with high volumes of people visiting. So, the ability to compact on the spot and optimize the amount of space in the receptacle significantly reduces the pickups needed.
If you’re interested in learning more about these eco-friendly bins as a sustainable waste management solution to manage litter in controlled public spaces, cities and parks, we’re here to answer all of your questions.
Let’s build greener cities together!