Big Apple host to BigBelly scheme

United States – New York mayor Michael Bloomberg is launching ‘the city’s largest public space recycling initiative to date’ with the installation of 30 new BigBelly solar-powered waste and recycling stations near Broadway and Times Square.

Times Square generates nearly 15 500 pounds or 900 bags of refuse a day – more than any other New York City neighbourhood, according to the mayor. He says the programme will help double the city’s recycling rate to 30% by 2017 and expects the new bins to encourage the 500 000-plus daily visitors to Times Square to recycle.

The Big Belly units will replace 53 rubbish bins and can be monitored remotely so collection personnel are sent out only when the containers are full. They have three sections for cans/bottles, general refuse and paper. ‘The high-tech stations hold five times the capacity of traditional sidewalk trash receptacles, use solar energy to compact trash, require fewer pick-ups and are expected to cut greenhouse emissions by 80%,’ states BigBelly Solar.

The pilot scheme was established through a partnership between the Times Square Alliance, BigBelly Solar and the Alcoa Foundation. According to latest plans, New York will have 1000 new recycling containers on streets in all five boroughs by the end of the year.

For more information, visit: www.bigbellysolar.com