Testimonials
"This technology will save taxpayers money, introduce sidewalk recycling and keep our streets clean. This is one more important step towards achieving our sustainability goals."
"The solar compactors have been an instant hit and a win-win for everybody. The Mayor is thrilled and we have seen a noticeable difference in so many areas including litter reduction, and increased recycling in the use of the bins. The on-time delivery schedule and implementation of the BigBelly units worked well. They are well received by the community and we have had very few problems with vandalism and graffiti. The project is working according to plan in terms of reducing collections while actually increasing capacity and adding recycling downtown for the first time. The City plans to purchase 250 more for the neighborhood commercial corridors using a beautification grant."
"I was skeptical at first, but to my amazement, the machines are working great for the university. They're very attractive and people really use them. We only have to empty them intermittently, and there's no maintenance – we don’t have to worry about them at all. I'm a believer now."
"I've been doing waste services at the Oregon Zoo for 12 years, and the BigBelly machines have changed my life for the better. I have to make less frequent trips, it's easier on my back, and it even makes me take more pride in keeping the area clean. They've been great."
"The solar trash receptacles have to go citywide. It will give us a more productive work force because you don't have to pick them up every day."
"The main thing for a Business Improvement District is you have to make it look neater. New benches and planters are nice, but you have to get rid of the litter. The BigBelly has been terrific for our beautification efforts: you can see all the trash with the other cans, which is quite unsightly; but the BigBelly creates a much nicer look. We're very pleased, especially with the visual improvement the BigBelly units have made in the BID - there's less litter, and they look beautiful."
"The machines are working magnificently. Normally we would be emptying the cans twice a day, but we empty the BigBellys once a week. They are better than advertised."
"During the 2009 fall semester the University installed 33 BigBelly solar trash compactors and recycling receptacles. Beyond reducing the frequency of trash pick-ups and expanding our recycling program, they provided a meaningful step toward increasing visibility for the University’s new sustainability program."
"With the time savings from using the BigBelly system, our trash collectors will be reassigned to other tasks, creating opportunities to do work that was not being done for lack of resources. There is always lots to do - painting buildings, cutting grass, fixing our 60-mile trail system, and so on. Using the BigBelly, we will have more time to do other important tasks - tasks that make us do our jobs better."
"In general, the area around the bus stop has much less garbage around it. This is attributed to the crows not being able to pick the garbage out of the can as well as the BigBelly never overflowing. Our custodian says he doesn’t spend nearly as much time cleaning the surrounding area as he used to. It’s all good!"
"We like the BigBelly [compactors] because they can hold four times more litter than a non-compacting barrel. That means no unsightly, pest-friendly litter spilling out of the barrels. It also means that Harvard produces 1/4th the greenhouse gas from vehicle trips to service the barrels, less vehicle noise and air pollution, and fewer times that a truck has to disrupt pedestrian traffic. Most gratifyingly, the new set-up will give Yard visitors the chance to recycle their cans, cups, bottles and papers all across the Yard."
"It has a ton of benefits - it will save the city time and money, keep litter from overflowing, and discourage illegal dumping of trash. This will save us a lot of time for guys to fill potholes, fix sidewalks, and do other things."
"The BigBelly is an innovative, sustainable, cost-effective product that appears perfectly suited for our River Market District and other downtown areas. During hard economic times when the City is considering a budget with dwindling revenues, it is encouraging to learn about a product that has already produced significant tangible results in reducing costs in other cities."
"Utilizing these compactors, we have saved money by reducing collections while at the same time eliminated unsightly overflowing trash cans, and reducing pests and odor...The BigBelly trash compactors exemplify our willingness to find innovative, environmentally friendly projects to enhance our community."
"Somerville is a densely populated city with a tight budget - so we are always seeking ways to do more with less. We had a number of constantly-overflowing trash cans in our squares that City staff were visiting four times a day or more for collection. We did a several-month test trial with five BigBellys, and they made a big difference. We've now dropped to one collection per day at our busiest spots, saving valuable staff time. The BigBellys eliminated unsightly and unhealthy trashcan overflow at each site they were placed, even at our Dunkin' Donuts/Bus Stop location, and our residents have noticed with approval. We decided without reservation to purchase the trial units, and we plan to budget for more in the spring."
"We are thrilled with our BigBelly units. We have been able to go from 2 trash pick-ups per day to once every 3 days indicating that they hold 6 times as much as our regular trash receptacles. We are ordering more BigBelly units for next year with a goal of replacing all our trash receptacles with the BigBelly in the next few years."