Trash Put In Its Place In Downtown Laredo
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Aug 25, 2010, 0 Comments
Courtesy Xochitl Mora,
(Laredo, TX – Aug. 25, 2010) Recently, the City of Laredo Environmental Services Department has placed some new, and very interesting, trashcans throughout downtown Laredo. These sleek, “Big Belly” trashcans (photos attached) are equipped with a solar-paneled trash compactor, designed to compact the trash, and help cut down on fuel costs, greenhouse emissions and landfill space.
Thanks to the $170,000 from the Energy Efficiency and Conservative Block Grant from the Department of Energy, the Environmental Services Department is purchasing approximately 45 solar trash compactors, at a cost of $3,700 each. According to the manufacturer’s website, these trash compactors can reduce fuel costs and greenhouse emissions by up to 80%.
“The purpose of the trash compactors is to reduce the number of trips for emptying downtown’s trash cans, thus reducing fuel costs and greenhouse gas emissions,” said John Porter, assistant director for the Environmental Services Department. “Another purpose of these trash compactors is for public education on energy conservation.”
Rene Ramos, Building Maintenance Supervisor for City Hall states that the trash bags inside the two trash compactors, located in front of City Hall (south entrance) will be changed every Friday and Monday.
“On Fridays, that is a whole week’s worth of trash from visitors and passer-byers to City Hall,” Ramos stated. “On Mondays, the trash is from the weekend shoppers who utilize the free parking at City Hall for downtown shopping,” he added. However, in the few weeks that the new compactors have been at City Hall, probably because of the trash compacting, the trash bags have not been completely full, negating the need to change the bags that often, he concluded.
The trash compactors will be placed throughout downtown and at various City of Laredo facilities within the next few months.
