BRATISLAVA is testing special solar-powered rubbish bins. BC Product Slovakia has loaned six special solar bins called BigBelly Solar that are mechanically compacting the volume of waste and reducing the frequency of collection at six sites in the city. The SITA newswire wrote that this frees resources, slashes fuel costs and increases recycling opportunities.
ŽSR railway company has started using three of the bins, placing two at the main railway station and one at the railway station in Petržalka. Another two are being used by the city public transport company, Dopravný Podnik Bratislava, and are situated at major bus stations in Petržalka. The district government office of Nové Mesto is using the sixth one at the Riazanská bus station.
Roman Slimák, the director of BC Product Slovakia, told SITA that the solar bins are on loan for two months, until July 17, and then they can be bought by the transport companies or the government office or the rental term can be extended.
BigBelly Solar waste bins are fuelled by solar energy and mechanically press and compact waste, reducing the frequency of waste collection by a factor of 17 times. The bins also reduce disposal costs and noxious emissions as well as eliminating pests and overfilling. The cost for one BigBelly Solar ranges between €1,000 and €4,000 depending on whether it is a bin for municipal waste or sorted waste and whether it automatically recycles the waste.
