Inverness trials ‘Big Belly’ solar panelled compactor bin

A very busy Inverness city centre location has been chosen by The Highland Council to trial a new waste management solution.  The ‘Big Belly’ solar compactor bin will be sited outside of McDonalds on the High Street for a four week trial period.

The bin is 100% solar powered and has an internal compactor which increases litter capacity by over eight times that of a normal street litter bin.

The ‘Big Belly’ bin is completely self powered using a BP solar panel, it requires only 8 hours of daylight to run for one month and takes up the same footprint of a standard street litter bin. 

It is hoped that the trial will determine whether or not it would be worthwhile replacing all 50 City centre litter bins with the solar compactors.  This would result in reduced emptying costs and no need to have weekend collections.  In addition the bins would  prevent birds and vermin scattering rubbish across the street and there would be no issue of overflowing litter bins during busy periods.

Provost Jimmy Gray, Chairman of The Highland Council's Inverness City Committee, said:  “This new technology will increase the capacity of the bins and allow everyone to dispose of more litter properly, promote pavement recycling and keep our streets clean so I am very keen to see how the trial goes.  This busy city centre site outside a take-away restaurant has been selected to really test the bin during the trial.  I look forward to getting feedback from local businesses, our street cleaning team and members of the public.  As a council we are eager to embrace ideas like this that will us to target our finances more effectively and save natural resources.”