'Big Belly' bins use solar energy to reduce waste
An army of 'solar powered trash mashers' - dustbins that compress rubbish - have been installed all over Torbay in Devon.
The 'Big belly bins' use solar energy to activate a crusher that can reduce the amount of rubbish deposited inside it by up to five times. This cuts down on the number of trips needed by vehicles to collect the trash, leading to fewer carbon emissions. Torbay has become the first council to trial the £3,000 US-designed containers, and are hoping to introduce more if they prove useful.
Cabinet member Jeanette Richards said: "We must be able to think outside the box and be willing to try new ideas. The council has already planned a major clean up drive in Torbay this summer targeting street cleaning, graffiti, public toilets and litter. We hope that this latest trial will compliment the work whilst also helping the environment."
