Philadelphia Streets Dept Installs 20 BigBelly Eco Stations in West Oak Lane

Philadelphia Streets Department has installed 20 BigBelly solar-powered eco stations on Ogontz Avenue in West Oak Lane, funded by the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant Program (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.)

Philly’s well on their way to its goal of nearly 1,000 (949 in total; 394 have recycling capabilities) BigBellies that will be installed by the end of 2010.  Last year’s 474 BigBellies (210 with recyclers) have saved $850K with an estimate of ten years at $13 million.

Other benefits of Big Belly include:

• A BigBelly can hold as much as 5 x’s of a wire trash can.
• Solar-powered eco stations decrease collection trips from 17 to five times per week.
• Employees required to service trash unit is decreased from 33 to nine – Employees who formerly collected trash now collect recyclable materials in the City’s curbside recycling program.
• Cut fuel use & greenhouse gas emissions by up to 70%

“The BigBelly eco stations are a win economically and environmentally and we are excited to partner with OARC to provide Ogontz Avenue business corridor with 20 of these trash compactors, 10 of which include recycling capabilities,” said Streets Department Commissioner Clarena I.W. Tolson.

Way to go, Philly! Keep up with the UnLitter Us Movement & Greenworks plan!

Posted by Julie

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Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake. View all posts by Julie Hancher