Philadelphia, PA - Center City Philadelphia Press Release:
City of Philadelphia and Center City District Partner in Solar-Powered Trash Can Demonstration Project
July 10, 2008 03:42 PM
City of Philadelphia and Center City District Partner in Solar-Powered Trash Can Demonstration Project
(July 10, 2008) – This morning the City of Philadelphia Streets Department and the Center City District announced they are partnering in a demonstration project to test solar-powered trash receptacles in Center City. The trash compactor unveiled today at 7th & Chestnut Street is one of three cans installed as part of the test program. The other two are located on the 1400 and 1800 blocks of Walnut Street.
Brand-named BigBelly®, the receptacles are the world’s only solar-powered cordless compaction system. Manufactured in the USA, the receptacle is made of galvanized steel and recyclable ABS plastic sides. It uses the sun’s energy to automatically compact trash at the point of disposal, significantly increasing capacity by four times within the same footprint as ordinary receptacles. Increased capacity reduces overflow, the number of collection trips and can cut related fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions by 80%. It has the capacity to hold 200 gallons of trash (normal city trash cans hold 55 gallons) and can operate for a week on the energy it takes to make a pot of coffee. The enclosed design keeps pests out and litter in.
“We are pleased to work with the Streets Department on this trial run for the BigBelly® receptacles,” said Paul R. Levy, President & CEO for Center City District. “These cans look better and seem to work better than traditional trash cans so we are eager to test how well they perform in Philadelphia.”
“We are pleased to be partnering with the Center City District in the use of this advanced technology and embrace ideas like this that can potentially save us money and natural resources,” according to Clarena Tolson, Department of Streets Commissioner for the City of Philadelphia, noting that the solar-powered compactors are used in over 50 municipalities from Baltimore to Sacramento, as well as in parks, zoos and on campuses across the country.
Mark Alan Hughes, Philadelphia's Director of Sustainability and Senior Advisor to the Mayor added, "Innovative solutions that promote a green and clean city like BigBelly® are a small but critical piece of creating a more sustainable city and region. I look forward to working with the Streets Department and the Center City District to implement additional strategies for trash collection, recycling and a clean environment.
The BigBelly® needs no direct sunlight. It runs on a 12-volt battery that is kept charged by a solar panel on sunny or cloudy days. The demonstration period for the receptacles will last a month during which time Center City District personnel will collect the compacted trash from the three receptacles as needed and track machine performance, operational impact and public perception.