• Lisa Simpson
• Aug 14,2009
• In: Finance

Philadelphia Takes a Lead in Introducing Energy Saving Devices

Philadelphia has taken the lead in introducing energy saving devices by rolling out trash cans powered by the sun. The trash compactor named BigBelly as made its debut in downtown Philadelphia.

In downtown area 700 public trash containers have been replaced with 500 of the new solar powered compactors. The high ended technology uses the power of the sun to condense trash. This cuts down collection trips by as much as 75%.

Philadelphia has been facing a five year deficit budget. The city authorities calculate that this replacement will save as much as $875,000 per year. The compactors have been purchased with grant funds. Other urban centres stretching from Vienna to Boston and Vancouver have tried experimenting with these but the numbers in use were modest. Philadelphia introduced them in four downtown collection routes.

Clarena Tolson, the Streets Commissioner said that the new devices are required to be cleaned out five times per week. For the previous trash bins the count was 19 times in a week. The changeover has now set free 25 employees from the street department. They are now taking up vacant posts in the truck section that collects recycling stuff from homes.

The 32 gallon compactors have a holding capacity of 150 gallons to 200 gallons of garbage. These new devices are being experimented upon by governments and other bodies in 40 states. But none has taken such a comprehensive positive approach as Philadelphia said Richard Kennelly of the marketing division of BigBelly Solar.

Light powers the BigBelly. However direct light is not necessary. When the trash reaches the brim of the bin it breaks a beam that is electronic. This in turn sets off a motor that pushes it downwards causing the garbage to get packed more densely. The machine notes the resistance and this causes a light placed in front of the can to revert to yellow from green. The cans are also equipped with a monitoring system that is wireless. It sends out a message to the related city offices when full. Apart from these Philadelphia is also introducing recycling containers that will be placed on the curbs next to some of the compactors.

Boston was the first to use these compactors three years ago. Today the city is using 160 of these but the problem is that the units are scattered. Dennis Royer of Boston’s public works estimated that within 18 months of use the compactor make up for the money spent on it.