Everett, WA - HeraldNet:
Everett parks try out garbage gulper
September 14, 2009 06:00 AM
... A BigBelly is the newest addition to Everett parks: a solar-powered garbage guzzler.
Everett parks staff began investigating the combination trash can and compactor as a way to find a few more hours in the day.
For the city's parks workers, taking out the trash is a time sucker.
Employees spend hours every morning driving as many as 80 miles to empty trash cans, said John Petersen, an assistant director for Parks and Recreation. That's time they could be spending mowing lawns and trimming bushes. ...
In the last 18 months, workers have placed nine at area parks, including two at Harborview Park off Mukilteo Boulevard. The cliff-side park was a good test case since it gets scads of trash from people who come to eat lunch and take in the view, said Russell Dance, a city construction supervisor.
He's pleased. The cans work beautifully and have had needed zero maintenance. Workers now only need to pick up trash at Harborview twice a week. The cans' smaller openings and secure lids also thwart squirrels, crows and curious toddlers. ...
BigBelly solar compactors save the city money in wages, vehicle hours and fuel. Once the city gets a full complement in place, the city could release 45 tons less carbon dioxide each year. ...