2012 January | BigBelly Solar

APM Terminals Deploys BigBelly Solar Waste Collection System to Reduce Litter at Port of Los Angeles

  • January 17, 2012 9:50 am

LOS ANGELES – APM Terminals has expanded its deployment of BigBelly Solar Waste and Recycling Stations at the Port of Los Angeles – a key part of its Global Port, Terminal and Inland Services Network – to reduce collection costs and overflow issues. With more than 50 locations in place, port visitors and employees will be able to responsibly dispose of their waste while the APM Terminals facility will eliminate overflowing trash from blowing into the water and keeping out seagulls and other animals to create a cleaner environment.

The BigBelly System will be unveiled at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Pier 400 Administration building at 2500 Navy Way.

The BigBelly System’s web-based management console gives operations staff unique real-time insight and historical reporting into the status of every waste and recycling station, which is essential to ensure proper service levels across the facility.

“Keeping our facility litter-free is key to maintaining the high standards and image of APM Terminals,” said Justin Weir, Director, Maintenance & Repair. “The BigBelly Solar solution from WAXIE gives us an efficient way to manage our trash collection that is in keeping with our overall commitment to sustainability and ongoing CO2 emissions reduction.”

The largest single proprietary terminal in the world, Pier 400’s 484 acres can handle 1.6 million twenty-foot equivalent containers. APM Terminals is now considering additional BigBelly Solar deployments at some of its other facilities worldwide.

About APM Terminals

APM Terminals is taking a leading role in addressing the critical issues facing the transportation industry. With our customers and business partners, the company has designed the world’s most comprehensive port and inland network to meet the shipping community’s needs today, tomorrow and in the future. With more than 60 ports and 132 inland facilities in 63 countries – the goal is to offer the market more solutions than ever before to help companies and countries achieve their ambitions. Media can download high resolution photos and more information at www.apmterminals.com

About BigBelly Solar

BigBelly Solar is the pioneer and industry leader for delivering financial and environmental savings to the public space waste and recycling collection process. Combining solar-powered remote monitoring and on-site compaction, the BigBelly Solar system uses data and right-sized capacity to empower municipalities, universities and other organizations to reduce their collection frequency and increase public space recycling. With nearly 1,000 customers worldwide, the award-winning BigBelly Solar Intelligent Waste & Recycling Collection System has saved communities tens of millions of dollars in fuel and labor costs while reducing their carbon footprint. BigBelly Solar products are “Assembled in the USA” and recognized as a best practice by the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group and Clinton Climate Initiative. www.bigbellysolar.com

About WAXIE Sanitary Supply

WAXIE Sanitary Supply is America’s largest family-owned distributor of sanitary maintenance supplies. WAXIE is an industry leader in the distribution of quality cleaning chemicals, equipment, disposables, and accessories to the building service contractor, school, hospitality, healthcare, military, government, industrial, and retail markets. Based in San Diego, the company consists of over 600 dedicated professionals working out of Inventory Centers servicing the western United States including California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Colorado. Additional information about WAXIE Sanitary Supply may be obtained at www.waxie.com.

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Arlington Citizen Journal: Solar-powered trash cans shine downtown

  • January 16, 2012 10:22 am

Arlington, TX - The three new units inhabiting the Founders Plaza next to Arlington City Hall actually are dual trash and recycling receptacles purchased by the parks department as part of a grant-funded pilot program.

The grant-worthy part of the combo is the trash container, which has a solar-powered compactor and a wireless transmitter that will signal when it’s full.

“Having the ability of the garbage cans to communicate back to us is phenomenal,” said Gary Packan, the city’s assistant director for enterprise programs. “Who would have thought a few years ago that we would have garbage cans talking to us.”

On-site trash compacting allows for more time between emptying the trash cans, and the communication system eliminates trips to check on the receptacles, all of which saves personnel time and fuel and reduces fuel emissions.

Solar power also saves electricity and the cost of running electrical wiring to each site.

Many cities around the country are using solar compactors, including Fort Worth.

Philadelphia replaced 700 trash cans with 500 solar compactors and saved 70 percent of its collection costs for those units — about $900,000 — the first year, according the BigBelly Solar website. It said cities spend up to $4,000 annually in collection operations for regular trash cans.

The BigBellies have a solar panel on top that converts light into electricity to power the compactor.

“When trash gets to a certain level, the sensor will go off and it will automatically compact the trash,” said Heather Dowell, urban forestry and land manager for the city.

The receptacle can hold five times as much trash as non-compacting bin.

The combo bins will get their biggest tests this summer and fall concert series Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts in the Founders Plaza, events that often draw 1,500 to 2,000 visitors.

“We’re excited about seeing how they function and going on from there,” Packan said.

“If, from a cost-analysis standpoint, it saves us money and allows us to deploy our staff elsewhere, that’s a huge benefit.”

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