Clayton Installs Solar Powered Trash Compactor

April 27, 2010

The City of Clayton unveiled the BigBelly Solar Compactor and BigBelly recycle bin. Installed on Forsyth Boulevard at Bemiston Avenue in front of City Hall, the BigBelly Solar Trash Compactor is a patented compacting trash receptacle that is completely self-powered. The BigBelly uses solar power for 100% of its energy needs. The unit has the same "footprint" as an ordinary receptacle, but its capacity is five times greater. Increased capacity reduces collection trips, cuts fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions by 80%.

According to information provided by the manufacturer, the BigBelly compacts trash to about 1/5 of its uncompacted volume, depending on the type of trash.  The test will give the city an idea of how collection costs could be reduced in the CBD. To provide better sampling information, the city is considering adding a few more BigBelly units at higher trash volume locations in the city. The length of the trial period has not been set. The city will monitor the data to determine if the benefits are meaningful. The price for the pair, the recycle unit and the solar powered trash compactor unit, was $5,200.