Solar-powered litter bin in use in Waterford

A solar-powered litter bin which can store up to six times more than the average version has been placed outside a shop in Waterford.

A first for Ireland's public streets, the "Big Belly" litter bin requires fewer collections because it compacts waste at a force of 1,600lbs, thereby lessening the level of carbon emissions into the atmosphere.

The bin, outside Siopa 24/7 on Thomas Street in Waterford city, cost €5,000. It can operate for 28 days (or 1,000 compaction cycles) on just five hours of daylight.

Waste cannot spill from the bin on to the streets as a lid has to be pulled back to deposit litter. James Croke, co-founder of Ellicro Environmental Care Ltd, the supplier of the bins, yesterday said the company has been trying to get the Department of the Environment to support their products, but has not received a response.

"We hope to get a licence to become a voluntary compliance scheme for the recovery of recyclable material that works alongside Repak," he added.

Mr Croke said that in countries with more than one version of Repak involved, the rate of recovery for bottles and cans is as high as 95 per cent.

He said they have had a huge response to the bins so far, particularly from manufacturing industry, shopping centres and retail outlets.

However, the company hopes local and central Government will become more interested in the product.