Northern Ireland

New solar-powered compacting bins installed in Ards and North Down

Mayor Trevor Cummings with one of the new solar-powered compacting bins in Bangor. Picture by Graham Baalham-Curry
Mayor Trevor Cummings with one of the new solar-powered compacting bins in Bangor. Picture by Graham Baalham-Curry Mayor Trevor Cummings with one of the new solar-powered compacting bins in Bangor. Picture by Graham Baalham-Curry

MORE than 20 brand new solar-powered compacting bins have been installed in Ards and North Down Borough Council - the first in Northern Ireland to bring in the technology.

It follows the successful trial of three similar bins in 2019, with an additional 22 state-of-the-art bins across Newtownards, Donaghadee, Bangor, Comber and Holywood funded by the Department for Communities.

The automatic compacting ability allows the 240 litre bins to store up to 20-times more waste than standard bins.

They also send an electronic message to the council when they are ready to be emptied, resulting in fewer collections, "lower collection costs and less emissions", with a fully-enclosed design making them bird and vermin-proof.

They are operated by foot pedal and log how many times they have been used, allowing the council to identify the busiest areas.

Mayor Trevor Cummings said it was "a great investment", helping to "keep our public areas clean and they are better for our environment".

"The bins are powered by 100 per cent renewable solar energy so they have zero running costs and they will help to eliminate any unsightly overflowing bins.

Environment Committee chair Gillian Greer said "they will encourage residents and visitors to Ards and North Down to responsibly dispose of their waste".