When I first encountered a solar-powered trashcan in Midtown, I questioned its purpose. Was there really a need to power a garbage bin with the sun?
The answer, as it turns out, is a big, fat yes — especially if you’re into free WiFi and environmental preservation.
Thanks to Bigbelly, a Massachusetts-based waste management company, over 170 “smart” bins have been installed in downtown Manhattan. Each is fitted with a chip that can detect when a bin is full, alerting trash collectors to schedule a pickup.
Some bins are also installed with WiFi units, which are useful for a number of reasons. Aside from providing free access to WiFi, the units can display public services announcements and help the government collect data about waste management.
Due to the success of the bins, New York City is increasingly turning to “smart" waste solutions. In March, downtown Brooklyn received its very own set of solar-powered trashcans.
