Rehoboth Beach Introduces Solar-Powered Trash Compactors

The City of Rehoboth Beach is rolling out a new environmentally friendly trash collection system throughout the town.

This week, officials installed 14 Bigbelly solar-powered compacting containers that are strategically located at Baltimore Avenue, Wilmington Avenue and First Street, which are locations heavily utilized by pedestrian traffic. Additionally, Grove Park and Stockley Street Park will soon have receptacles for both refuse and recycling. Each bin uses built-in solar panels to run motorized compactors, which officials say dramatically reduce waste volumes and help create “greener, cleaner streets.” The self-enclosed receptacles also prevent overflow, windblown litter and unwanted odors. Each bin has a 150 gallon capacity, which is five times that of traditional trash containers.

Additionally, they have built-in cloud computing technology which can provide real-time information and digitally send notifications to trash collectors when capacity is reached. They are also handicap accessible with hand and foot levers.

According to town officials, the Bigbelly solar-powered compacting containers are in use across the country in thousands of cities, college campuses and entertainment parks. Bigbelly is the world’s largest provider of enterprise waste and recycling management solutions.