FAQ
What is a Waste & Recycling Station?
A waste and recycling station is composed of one-to-three components to offer public space trash and recycling options. These components can be BigBelly Solar Compactors (which increase capacity via on-site compaction) or SmartBelly components. All of these components use wireless data technology to provide real-time data on fullness status and collection history. Each station features a solar panel, battery and circuit board that powers the functionality for the entire station.
How does a BigBelly Solar Compactor work?
The solar panel extracts energy from the sun and transfers the power to a battery for storage. On-board controls software takes fullness input from a photo eye and triggers compactions automatically. When the compactor reaches predetermined fullness levels that indicate a pick up is required, the the fullness and required pickup status is visible and trackable from any web-enabled computer and external LED indicators are triggered. Trash and single-stream recycling options are available.
How does a SmartBelly work?
The solar panel extracts energy from the sun and transfers the power to a battery for storage. Sonar technology is used to measure how full the bin is, and then communicates that information using wireless data. The fullness and required pickup status is visible and trackable from any web-enabled computer and – depending on the configuration – external LED indicators may be triggered. Trash, single-stream recycling, multi-stream recycling and organics options are available.
What is CLEAN?
CLEAN stands for Collection Logistics Efficiency and Notification, and is BigBelly Solar’s management console for remotely managing and monitoring BigBelly Solar waste and recycling stations. This service is available on any web browser, and can be used to view real-time fullness and historical data, as well as adjust compaction frequency and other important operation data from different waste and recycling station components.
What is the value of offering recycling options?
Recycling is growing in importance as plastic and other containers become more prevalent in the consumer goods value chain. For example, 2 million plastic beverage bottles are used EVERY 5 MINUTES in the United States. Having a public space recycling options at the point of waste disposal diverts recyclable commodities from landfills and may create an additional revenue stream. Additionally, less plastic and glass in the trash components increases their capacity, further reducing the frequency of required pickups. The design of BigBelly waste and recycling stations encourages better separation of trash and recyclables, resulting in low cross-contamination rates (recyclables in the trash or vice-versa).
Does a BigBelly Solar Compactor or SmartBelly require direct sunlight and will it work if it is not a sunny day?
All of our components do not require direct sunlight. As long as the solar panel can “see” the sky (i.e., not under a roof or tree), the station will work reliably on diffuse light. This is a central area of BigBelly Solar’s technical advantage: the company has extensive intellectual property in intelligent energy management, allowing the solar compactor and fullness indication systems to work reliably 24/7/365 in rigorous environmental climates and light conditions. For example, a BigBelly Solar Compactor can operate for a day on the equivalent energy it takes to make a piece of toast.
What do the green, yellow, and red lights mean?
It should first be stated that citizens, students and park goers need no knowledge of or even to take notice of these signals; they are intended to communicate fullness status to pickup crews – either through direct observation, or as communicated through CLEAN. Green means the bin is ready to continue accepting trash. Emptying a Green bin is a “wasteful” effort – it can continue to consume trash and pickup should take place at a later time. Yellow means that it is nearing capacity (60%-80%, depending on the settings) and a pickup should take place in the near future. Red means that the unit has sensed a fullness level to where there is no additional capacity; collection should take place at or before this point.
What are the safety features of the BigBelly Solar Compactor?
With full compliance to International Standard ISO 13857, the elimination of any potential for personal injury in the use of the products was a primary consideration in the design of the solar compactors. Both the access door to the trash and the electronics access door (the solar panel) are locked and require a key. If either door is opened the compactor will not run.
In addition, the receptacle door (the “hopper”) is designed so that the back of the hopper creates a safety barrier and does not allow arms, hands, feet, heads, or other body parts access to the compacting ram. The machine runs on a safe low voltage system.
How reliable is the BigBelly Solar Compactor?
A New York case study found 99.8% up time in a heavy-use and demanding environment. The BigBelly Solar system has been designed to be highly reliable in rigorous external environments, with an expected life of 10 years with proper cleaning and maintenance.
What kind of maintenance does a BigBelly Solar Compactor require?
The BigBelly Solar Compactor has been designed to require very low levels of maintenance. No maintenance is required on the motor or the solar panel, which are sealed, maintenance-free components. Guidelines are available in the operating manual. Replace the battery every 4 to 5 years.
How do you clean a BigBelly Solar Compactor?
Occasional power washing of the solar compactor and recycler will ensure a long life (and a better response from the users). While avoiding the internals of the top door (location of electronics), power wash the units inside (bin locations and hopper) and out as needed. Recommended cleaning agents are listed in the manual.
What about vandalism and graffiti?
Our waste and recycling stations have been designed to limit the effects of attempts at vandalism. They are bolted to sidewalks and are virtually impossible to manually dislodge. Siting with proper curb setbacks will minimize the potential for other mechanical means (e.g., a vehicle strike) to dislodge or damage them. Side panels are designed from recycled car bumper materials – they will not deform even under the force of a baseball bat. The polycarbonate solar bubble is similarly designed.
As with other external containers or street furniture, occasional graffiti removal may be necessary, but is easily accomplished. A full list of standard approved solvents and cleaning procedures are contained in the manual. As an interesting side note, BigBelly Solar waste and recycling stations tend to be very favorably received in the community. One of the company’s large university customers shared, for example, that the BigBelly Solar Compactors are the ONLY external asset on the campus that has not been vandalized.
