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Information Exchange
The Lifestyle Information Network (LIN) and Communities in Bloom are pleased to provide access to the Information Exchange, collected annually as part of the Evaluation Process. Please click here to browse the featured collection.

 
 
Updated: Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Waste Management to Offer New Solar Powered Trash Compactor

For Further Information:

Waste Management
Media: Wes Muir 905.483.3099
 
 Solar-powered trash receptacle to use renewable energy to save money and turn public spaces into clean eco-friendly zones
 
 
June 12, 2009 – Waste Management today announced that it has entered into an agreement with BigBelly Solar under which Waste Management will provide WM Solar Powered Trash Compactors to its customers, including municipalities and high-traffic facilities. Waste Management has become the exclusive waste and environmental services company distributor of BigBelly solar compactor technology in North America.
 
“We know busy intersections, public parks, city streets, sporting events and other public spaces can be magnets for trash,” said Dave Aardsma, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Waste Management. “Ordinary trash barrels can easily overflow and become eyesores. The Waste Management solar powered trash compactor can provide a number of solutions in those uses, by reducing waste collection frequency, lowering costs for our customers and ensuring a greener, cleaner environment.”
 
WM Solar Powered Trash Compactors are completely self-powered, using built-in solar panels to compact trash. About the same size as a standard 35-gallon trash barrel, each compactor provides five times the capacity of a traditional trash receptacle. When the unit reaches capacity, sensors trigger an internal compactor that flattens the contents, converting 180 gallons of waste into easy-to-collect bags. A wireless system then signals that the unit is ready to be picked up. This cuts the need for trash pickup by up to 80 percent, which reduces collection costs, fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions. The compactors also include receptacles for collecting plastic bottles, newspapers, glass and other recyclables. 
 
“We’re very excited to bring the benefits of on-site solar compaction to such a wide group of customers nationwide,” said Richard Kennelly, vice president of marketing for BigBelly Solar. “These compactors are made from recycled materials, and even work in areas that don’t receive direct sunlight.”
Waste Management will initially target municipal governments and high-traffic facilities interested in reducing the need for trash collection and keeping public spaces clean and litter free. “Consumers report that convenience and accessibility of public trash and recycling receptacles are a major influence in encouraging them to dispose of waste properly and to recycle more,” said Ted Blowes, national chairman of the nonprofit Communities in Bloom. “Providing environmentally responsible options in public spaces can be a valuable tool for communities as they raise awareness of the importance of proper waste disposal.”
 
The solar powered trash compactors are currently being used successfully in hundreds of locations across Canada, the USA and in 15 other countries, including the Canadian cities of Calgary, Banff, Montreal, Ottawa, and Vancouver. The cost-savings can be substantial: the City of Philadelphia, for example, expects to save nearly $13 million over the next 10 years by replacing 700 litter baskets in Center City with 500 solar powered trash compactors and 210 companion recycling units. 
 
Together with Waste Management’s other sustainability goals, Waste Management is investing in new technologies to better manage waste, including in public spaces.
 
About Waste Management
Waste Management, based in Houston, Texas, is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management services in North America. Our subsidiaries provide collection, transfer, recycling and resource recovery, and disposal services. We are also a leading developer, operator and owner of waste-to-energy and landfill gas-to-energy facilities in the United States. Our customers include residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers throughout North America. To learn more visit www.wm.com or www.thinkgreen.com.
 
About BigBelly Solar
BigBelly Solar is the maker of the BigBelly – the world’s only solar powered waste compaction system. BigBelly Solar was founded in 2003 with a mission to improve the environment and the economy by crafting efficient solutions to everyday problems. We develop innovative, cost-saving approaches to reducing fossil fuel consumption, making for cleaner, more efficient communities. Our flagship product, the BigBelly, can be found around the world, reducing costs by cutting down the frequency of trash collection trips.  To learn more please visit www.bigbellysolar.com.
 
Updated: Friday, November 06, 2009

Tree Canada - Green Fun for Everyone - Greening Canada's School Grounds

Is there anything sadder than a fenced in school yard covered in concrete and asphalt, devoid of any trees or plants?

Students, teachers and parents who face this reality every day are missing out on a world of discovery – a world where trees could be our teachers.

In 1998, Tree Canada, the country’s largest, non-profit, national tree planting organization, created the Greening Canada’s School Grounds program. The program provides resources including technical support and funding so that schools can replace their asphalt-covered yards with oxygen-providing trees. The trees will then improve the educational, ecological and aesthetic value of the school ground.

Over 450 school grounds have been greened since 1999 with 20-30 school projects taking place each year.

Studies have shown that looking at trees and green spaces improves memory and concentration in children and adults; trees can provide a buffer against wind and sun, saving the school heating and cooling costs; and trees filter UV rays through their leaves. Planting trees on school property also provides an opportunity for students to study the natural world and wildlife – all in their own yard!

Some skeptics say that trees can damage windows and building foundations, or children will trample them or climb them and hurt themselves. These are largely “school tree myths.” With careful planning, the right tree species can be selected so that there will be enough space for the trees to grow without affecting windows and foundations. Trees planted in school grounds are large enough so they won’t be trampled by children and they can be pruned to deter climbing.

Greening a school ground is a big project that requires planning. The last thing anyone wants to see is a portable installed where a tree used to be! Tree Canada encourages schools to gather a team of “champions” – teachers, parent volunteers and members of the community who are dedicated to seeing the project through to completion. Tasks include surveying the school grounds; identifying your school needs by consulting with students, staff and parents; picking native species for your area; breaking down the project into smaller steps; an in-depth action plan and a budget.

The best projects involve the students. They can mulch the trees after planting, learn about different tree species and help organize a “launch event” to celebrate the school’s new green space.

Schools can apply to Tree Canada’s Greening Canada’s School Grounds program all year round by visiting www.treecanada.ca to download the application. We keep applications on file for two years and have sponsors constantly approaching us to green schools.

Join us in making your schools a greener space in a green community.

Photos: In the spring and fall of 2009, staff, students and volunteers plant trees in schools in Dartmouth, N.S. (top); Lumsden, Sask. (middle); and Montreal, Que. (bottom).





 
Updated: Friday, June 04, 2010