Solar rubbish compactor arrives in Ireland

Waste collection frequency could be reduced, cutting costs and carbon emissions, following the introduction of a solar-powered rubbish compactor to Ireland.


Kyron Energy and Power has become an Irish agency for Big Belly waste bins, which can accommodate five times as much waste as traditional bins.

Boston, in the US, already has 164 such solar-powered compactors in place.

“The Big Belly system reduces the frequency of waste collection, which lowers costs and also ensures a greener environment,” Tommy Brennan, who set up the energy company with brother Ciaran, told the Sunday Business Post.

“The compaction system is self-powered using solar energy.

“The bin takes up as much space as an ordinary bin, but has five times more capacity, which can reduce collection frequency by up to 80%.”

Measuring 50.4 inches in height and 25.1 inches across, with a bin volume of 32 gallons, the on-site compactors are similar in size to existing bins but by crushing the rubbish, they increase the amount that they can hold.

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