Council installs solar-powered bins for cleaner streets

Cheshire West and Chester Council has installed 17 new solar-powered litter bins in Malpas and Frodsham.

The new litter bins, which use solar energy to compact the waste inside, provide five times the capacity of a standard litter bin.  The Council worked with local ward members and key stakeholders locally to agree the locations for the new bins.

In Frodsham, thirteen new solar-powered bins have replaced the previous nineteen standard litter bins, and in Malpas five standard bins have been replaced with four new bins.  As the number of bins has been reduced, there is now more space on the pavements in these areas to boost accessibility.

The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport, Councillor Karen Shore said: “These clever bins will let our teams know when they need to be emptied, cutting down the time StreetCare teams spend on bin emptying rounds, so they can now carry out other duties in the area.  Avoiding unnecessary bin emptying journeys is also good for the environment.

“This project ties in closely with our Waste Strategy and our aims to deliver an efficient and cost-effective waste management service and tackle the climate emergency.  Good quality litter bins in our communities make it easy for residents to dispose of their rubbish, helping to keep our streets clean and tidy.”

Earlier this year the Council announced it was one of the first, if not the first, to use QR codes on bins to allow residents to check when a bin is due to be emptied by StreetCare teams.

The Council is looking to increase the number of compacter bins in the borough and will keep up to date with smart bin technology to spot further opportunities.

Pictured - One of the new solar-powered bins.