"Big Belly" To Solve Big Problem

Sunlight and "smart technologies" are being used to tackle a major problem on the streets of Waitakere. The City Council has installed two solar powered litter bins- the first of their kind in the country.

The bins, nick-named "Big Belly", have been imported from Australia.
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A solar panel on the top of the bins stores energy which in turn drives a "ram" to compact the rubbish inside. Compacting the trash means that the bins only have to be emptied once or twice each month, rather than 2-3 times a day for conventional (60 litre) bins.

Mayor Bob Harvey says not having to pay contractors to empty bins so frequently will off-set the cost of the solar powered receptacles within two years.

"We are trialling them in Henderson and early indications are that they are hugely successful," he says. "If the trial is successful we will install them in all of our town centres."

"This is using smart technology of the future to solve the environmental problems of today. It is a practical, environmentally friendly, answer to a problem that all towns and cities face."

Mayor Harvey adds that hopefully an arrangement can be made with the Australian manufacturers so that the solar bins can one day be made in New Zealand.

ENDS

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