Apollo Bay's Bins Get Smart with Solar

Four solar smart bins will be installed in Apollo Bay by the Colac and Otway Shire Council, as a way to improve waste management in the coastal town.

The bins can hold up to eight times as much waste as a traditional wheelie bin, due to solar compaction technology.

Acting Mayor Stephen Hart said the smart bins would help Council better manage waste during the peak summer tourist season.

“We’re confident that these smart bins will help us overcome issues with overflowing bins on the really busy days down on the coast.

“Not only can they hold more rubbish, they also have an inbuilt notification system that will message our team when the bins are ready for emptying.

“The Mayor and I recently saw the inner workings of these bins at a waste expo in Melbourne, and we’re really excited about introducing these along the coast.”

Council trialled the smart bin technology for three weeks this year, including a long weekend period, outside the Apollo Bay bakery.

Cr Hart said Council received no reports of overflowing rubbish and there were no smells coming from the bin.

“Normally we empty bins daily in Apollo Bay’s main street during winter, but we only had to empty it twice over the period of three weeks, and that included the Queen’s Birthday weekend,” he said.

The new solar smart bins will be installed during October at:

• 77 Great Ocean Road outside the Iluka Motel and Restaurant

• 103-105 Great Ocean Road, outside the IGA supermarket

• 121-123 Great Ocean Road outside the Apollo Bay Bakery

• 145 Great Ocean Road outside Smyth Real Estate

More information about the solar compaction bins is available from www.smartcitysolutions.com.au.

Image Source - Smart City Solutions