City council installs rubbish bins powered by the sun

Cambridge City Council is leading the county and the UK in installing state-of-the art rubbish bins powered by the sun.

The Big Belly Bins use solar power to compact rubbish and therefore need to be collected up to five times less than normal bins. This has the potential to cut the fuel consumption and carbon emissions associated with rubbish collection up to 80 per cent. 

The first of the new bins has been put in East Chesterton on Green End Road Rec and a second will follow next month on the river frontage public open space in front of the Vie development in East Chesterton.

Cambridge City Executive Councillor for Environmental and Waste Services, Mike Pitt, said: “These bins harness the power of the sun to compact the rubbish so that they can take more litter without having to be emptied so often. They also encourage recycling with separate compartments."

East Chesterton ward councillor and Executive Councillor for Climate Change and Growth, Clare Blair, said: "These bins will mean that the city council can cut fuel costs and carbon emissions bringing benefits to taxpayers and the environment. It is excellent news that they are being installed in East Chesterton."