Solar powered trash cans send text messages

[The Straight Story]

Solar powered trash cans send text messages


LODI, CA - Fourteen new trash cans at Lodi parks do far more than just serve as garbage receptacles.

Through solar power, they compact trash after it's collected. They even send text messages to city workers when the cans are full and need to be emptied.

A single Big Belly solar compactor costs about $4,000, but Lodi officials said the cans were bought through federal stimulus dollars. They also said the cans can help the city save money.

"We think it'll make our guys able to go to work on things more urgent than emptying trash. They (the cans) will be able to pay for themselves within, we figure, two to two and a half years," said Directors of Parks and Recreation Jim Rodems.

Two Big Belly cans are at Emerson Park in Lodi, where Rachelle Richards was enjoying lunch with her family. She sees the advantages of the solar compactors.

http://www.news10.net/news/story.aspx?storyid=81504&catid=2

[anthroguy101]

1. This is your Captain Obvious

What would be many times greater for the environment would be, you know, recycle bins. But instead they spend tons of money on solar-powered trash compacters. That is pitiful.

[Duer 157099]

2. How long before they are hacked

and barcode scanners are installed so that the signs can now say things like "You bought WHAT???"