BIGBELLY USES SOLAR

Using New Energy on trash, which is better than using Old Energy and spewing trash.

Compactor uses energy from sun
Michelle Mondo, May 14, 2007 (San Antonio Express-News)

WHO
San Antonio, Texas, Downtown Operations Department (Paula Stallcup, director), Seahorse Power Co.( James Poss, owner/inventor, Richard Kennelly, VP/Sales)

WHAT
Two solar-powered BigBelly Cordless Compaction Systems

WHEN
- BigBelly is in a 30-day pilot program.
- The first BigBelly system was installed in 2003.

WHERE
- Seahorse Power Co. is Boston-based. San Antonio is placing two units at high-traffic locations in Alamo Plaza.
- The first BigBelly system was installed in Vail, Colorado, and is now in approximately 50 cities.

WHY
- BigBelly is named after a seahorse species.
- The compactor runs on a self-contained solar-charged 12-volt battery system. By compacting the trash dumped in it, BigBelly is expected to pay for itself by requiring 1/4th or fewer collections. If the pilot program proves this to be true, further investment in the technology is anticipated.
- Austin (T.J. Costello, Box Free Thinking, and Solar Rubbish Containers of Florida) is currently working out details for installing BigBelly throughout Texas.
- Money is the main issue. One BigBelly costs $4000 and takes 18 months to pay for itself.

QUOTES
- Stallcup: "We'll evaluate the number of times we have to empty them versus how many times we empty our other regular cans…So we'll leave them both out there to make that determination and try to better track the waste collection opportunities."
- Kennelly: "It's a much better aesthetic improvement…It's also a high-visibility green technology. A lot of people have never seen a solar panel, and even kids can see this at eye level and see it's doing work everyone can relate to. And that's a nice, visible way cities can show they are taking advantage of clean, renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions."