70 solar bins would cost council €420,000 to roll out in the county
By Aimee Walsh
SOUTH Dublin County Council are considering the roll-out of ‘Big Belly’ Solar bins across the area.
In November 2019, a limited trial of the solar powered smart bins was conducted in which eight standard litter bins in Rathfarnham Village, Rathfarnham Castle playground and Rosemount shopping centre were replaced with solar powered litter bins.
One of the solar bins rolled out in Rathfarnham village
The smart technology in the bins runs on a rechargeable battery, that is powered entirely by solar panels. The smart technology prompts an email to be sent to relevant waste management division informing them that it is ready for emptying.
The bins also have a compactor that will crush rubbish, which means they can hold significantly more waste than ordinary litter bins.
South Dublin County Council have estimated that the cost for a roll out of 70 of these solar powered bins comes to €420,000. The cost for the bins has not been included for this year’s revenue budget, and funding would have to be provided before any roll-out of the solar bins could be considered.
Independent Councillor for Firhouse-Bohernabreena Alan Edge says although he supports the bins, the cost could be a prohibiting factor.
“The trial was very successful. I think the issue going forward is the cost and that is something now that the council are considering now that there is going to be a cost-benefit analysis conducted, and that will inform where we go from there. They are hugely expensive although very efficient.
“We are waiting for the analysis that is being done to see. I think for myself I would need to see the detail of the analysis. I am a supporter of them I think they are a great idea.
“I think it is definitely something we need to pursue but we do need to look at cost. If the cost turns out to be prohibitively expensive then maybe we need to look at other options as well.”
Overflowing litter bins have been an ongoing issue in many local areas, which leads to other issues such as litter on streets and dog fouling not being cleaned up.
“We do need to reinforce the message of when there is no bin, that people need to take their rubbish home with them, which is a message that sometimes gets lost,” Cllr Edge added.
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