Did you ever think that throwing away your trash could be an easy way to help the environment? One city in Western North Carolina hopes a new type of garbage can will help keep the streets clean and green.
We’re here in Asheville where this trash compactor is powered by the sun. And also it lets you know when it's filled up.
“So far, it’s cut down on our daily pickups from daily to once a week.”
It's a new way to dump your trash and recycle at the same time.
“It will reduce our maintenance costs it will reduce our fuel costs and it will reduce our manpower.”
This solar powered trash can and compactor at the Asheville public works building is already making a green impact.
“Gas, manpower, maintenance costs...it's reduced it considerably.”
Chris Daniels with the public works department says the compactor cuts down on overflow and it doesn't need any power to work.
“It charges itself and it will last three or four days without any sunshine. This is part of the compactor. It has a sensor in the interior of it. When the debris gets full in the container it will automatically compact it,” explains Daniels.
The new containers are on a test run in Asheville…and Daniels says the results are impressive.
“I have read a lot of reviews from other cities that have these in place and the cost savings are amazing.”
The solar powered trash and recycle bins also have indicator lights to let workers know when they are full.
“Red means it needs to be changed or emptied out.”
And eventually, these futuristic trash cans can even send a text message to let you know they're full.
“It would be a great benefit to the city as far as cleanliness.”
The new trash can has been in place for the last two months with plans to add another one in the city later this year. Officials in other cities have seen savings near $50,000 from these types of cans.
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