Passaic County installing smart waste stations at county parks
By Jonathan Greene
Published: June 10, 2016
More than a dozen new solar powered smart waste stations are being installed at Passaic County parks that will alert county employees through a propriety software when the containers are full allowing the county to effectively utilize manpower while cutting costs.
“It takes time and money to go around and empty recycling bins in every corner of the county,” Passaic County Freeholder Director Theodore “TJ” Best said. Employees do not know how full a trash can is until getting to the location. “These new recycling bins will be able to communicate that to our employees,” he said.
Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders approved the purchase of 16 new smart waste stations from Needham, Mass.-based Big Belly Solar Inc. for $138,462 late last month.
This brings the total number of Duo Clean waste stations to 32.
The county purchased 16 waste stations last year using $135,759 it received from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). Those containers have proven successful in cutting back litter and expenses resulting in the new purchases.
These smart waste stations reduce operating costs by 70-80-percent, according to the county. The stations are equipped with solar power and able to communicate through a cloud-based software.
“The county has been finding ways to increase services, while reducing costs,” Freeholder Pat Lepore, chairman of the Budget Committee, said.
“The most interesting aspect of these smart bins is their design,” said Freeholder Terry Duffy. “These new recycling bins with their ability to compact waste and communicate with county employees will provide more efficient waste collection throughout our county park system.”
Signage alerting the public about the proper use of the waste stations are being installed at county parks.