Eco-friendly Trashcan Takes on Doubting Thomases

A new innovative trashcan hits the streets of the U.S. but it seems the eco-friendly tag does not guarantee automatic takers.

Call it a case of mistaken identity, but New Yorkers have given a thumbs-down to an innovative experiment by [b]BigBelly Solar[/b]. Does the name sound disposed enough for a trash can? It's a pity because the experiment sounds forward-looking enough. BigBelly Solar is a company founded on the socio-economic approach of reducing waste and finding solutions to our everyday nature burdening problems. BigSolar is their latest waste management application: a futuristic trashcan running on solar power. The modern version of their street side rubbish bin aims to provide a better way of garbage compaction, thereby reducing frequent trips on the part of the collectors and at the end of the day bringing down costs. They are made from recycled plastic and have a solar panel on top generating 30 watts of power. The BigBelly Solar claims an 80 per cent saving over other trash collection processes. This saving comes through a patented better compaction system leading to a trash capacity of 150pounds a day. And the company says that it cuts out 4 out of 5 trips needed to empty a normal receptacle. Unfortunately, early success stories are not being scripted as they should. The concept is attractive but the ground realities emanating from the test runs are throwing up unique problems. New York, where the trash can was put through its paces from 2005 to July, 2008 has shown some problems. - The comparatively high cost ($3,500 to $7000 each) - Looks like a mailbox. New Yorkers thought BigBelly was a new type of mailbox and getting really peeved when they found out that their mail was ending up in as trash. - Lack of training among sanitation workers. The problems don't only have to do with appearances alone. The method of compacting sucks out oxygen and microorganisms that help decompose trash. Compacted trash takes more time to decompose. Thus increasing the garbage cycle. Trial runs are on in Philadelphia, Sacramento, Baltimore, Chicago and Boston. Vancouver, British Columbia is also lining up to give it a run. These could be early teething problems and every new technology has to take it in its stride. Perhaps, short term grumblings could give way to long term solutions through a better planned approach. The solution sounds promisingly eco-friendly enough, now it only has to deliver on that early promise.