Garbage seems to be more obvious in the summer. Smells are more pungent in the heat. Outdoor activities create piles at parks and beaches. Wasps swarm around sticky foods and liquids. A long weekend or special event may lead to overflowing trash cans and an unsightly mess.

Municipalities are always looking for new approaches and innovations for waste disposal. Solar trash compactors might offer some relief. To this end, Vancouver is testing one version in several neighbourhoods. The BigBelly is huge at 300 pounds, and it holds five times more trash than a non-compacting trash can.

The compactor is leakproof and requires no liner bags. All power requirements are met with the solar panel. For indoor use, there is an AC adaptor option, and power needs are low at 0.5 amps. When the canister reaches capacity, internal sensors trigger compaction

A similar solar compactor system was tried two years ago, but problems arose - including difficulty with emptying the large containers. So far, the new modified compactors show signs of promise. For a start, each BigBelly requires less emptying - once a week rather than once a day. A red light indicator shows when the container is full, preventing unnecessary emptying.

With fewer pick-ups, labour and garbage truck emissions are decreased. In addition, the design prevents access so that people, birds, and other animals cannot remove the contents. This is a real advantage in Vancouver, where crows, gulls, and raccoons are regular garbage raiders. In some parts of the Metro Vancouver region, bears are also a problem. The manufacturer offers an additional animal latch that will deter the largest scavengers, proving effective in state parks and other parts of the US.

In Vancouver, other test criteria include measures of maintenance, vandalism, and efficacy. So far, one necessary modification will see recycling racks added to the side. This would encourage recycling of cans, glass, and newspaper. In addition, Vancouver has a large number of “binners” who scavenge recyclable beverage containers for income. By providing an accessible location and closing off the main container, binning would be safer and more hygienic.

The company also makes versions with large integrated recycling units that are already used in Banff, Alberta, as well as several US sites. The drawback is the high price tag. Each compactor costs $3,500. However, a sturdy and utilitarian design that reduces emissions and labour will offer rapid returns on the initial purchase cost. If the BigBelly proves durable and effective, it will certainly contribute to reducing the city’s waste production. And that is a significant issue with landfills near capacity and a goal of zero waste in the future.