City to utilize solar technology to collect wastes in the downtown area

The City of San Antonio, as part of an international recognition of Earth Day on April 22, is joining a list of municipal governments across the country that are establishing policies and programs encouraging the use of solar energy. In an effort to take advantage of the benefits of solar technology, the City soon will embark on a pilot program that will utilize solar-powered trash compactors to reduce the cost of collecting wastes in the downtown area.

In early May, two “Big Belly” trash compactors will be placed in highly visible and high pedestrian traffic areas in the central business district. The Big Belly trash containers utilize solar energy to compress and compact trash, reducing the frequency of required trash collections and costs related to solid waste removal efforts.

The City’s Downtown Operations Department will test the Big Belly system for 30 days and evaluate its effectiveness at the conclusion of the pilot period. There will be minimal costs associated with the use of the containers during the pilot period. If the Big Belly system proves to be effective, the City may purchase additional containers to be placed throughout the downtown area. The City will continue to evaluate the location of the solar-powered trash compactors and determine through the upcoming budget process if the system should be expanded to other City facilities.

“The City continues to look at programs that are not only cost effective, but prove to be environmentally-friendly alternatives to current services,” said City Manager Sheryl Sculley. “This program also will demonstrate our continued commitment to keeping the downtown area clean through the most effective and efficient use of new technology.”

The City already has implemented a number of environmentally-sensitive best practice initiatives in its facilities and operations. In 2004, the City began retrofitting traffic and pedestrian signals, replacing incandescent bulbs with light emitting diodes, saving approximately $750,000 in electricity costs. The Development and Business Services Center utilizes green building and energy reduction components. Many of the non-public safety vehicles within the City fleet (31 percent) use hybrid technology or alternative fuels, reducing the costs associated with fuel consumption and decreasing pollution. And last Thursday, City Council passed a resolution supporting the establishment of a green building policy for new City-owned facilities that will allow these structures to be designed and constructed to the highest possible green building aspects with budget.