By SHING HIM NG

Hume City Council is looking to replace old bins in parks and reserves with new solar-powered models. If the plans go ahead, they will be the first of their kind to be installed in Victoria.

The idea came from Hume City councillor Casey Nunn, in response to complaints from the community about rubbish.

“We receive many complaints about overflowing bins, so we started to think about increasing the capacity of our rubbish bins,” she said.

According to waste management company Solar Bins Australia, the BigBelly Solar Compactor increases the litter-carrying capacity by six to eight times that of a normal street bin and sends a notification to garbage contractors when it’s 85 per cent full.

 The bins are also designed to keep waste contained, while deterring pests and preventing waste overflow and wind-blown litter.

“Garbage collectors only need to respond when the solar bins are required to be emptied. It reduces the time and fuel from the rubbish collection … and it also reduces carbon dioxide emissions from the garbage truck,” Cr Nunn said.

Some residents in the City of Hume have welcomed the news of a potential upgrade within their council.

Broadmeadows resident John Boucher is a daily park visitor and said replacing the old bins could improve the park environment.

“Sometimes I see rubbish bins fully filled when I visit the park … some of the garbage falls on to the ground and no one comes to remove it,” Mr Boucher said.

“The rotting garbage attracts flies, maggots and other insects, which affects the residents and the people who visit the park.

“I think it would be worth the money because the solar bins can increase litter capacity and will be emptied on time.”

Solar-powered bins come with a heavy price tag with a standard unit costing $5000 outright or $149 a month over five years, excluding battery replacement or other maintenance costs.

Coolaroo resident Adrian Button said despite potential benefits, it would be a concern to put such a financial burden on Hume’s ratepayers.

“I think the major concern would be whether it affects the rates when the idea is approved by council,” Mr Button said.

“I would like the council to bring up more information in the council meeting, or through the council newsletter, and to schedule public consultations with the resident to hear their opinions."

The solar bins are used overseas and interstate, in New South Wales, Western Australia and Tasmania.

A case study carried out by Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia (IPWEA), on solar-powered bins in Nambucca New South Wales, showed that solar-powered bins significantly reduced the emptying frequency required by contractors.

“What we found is where we were emptying the bins every day, we are now in some cases getting seven days out of the bins. In other high use areas, like the main street, we are emptying them every second day,” Nambucca Shire Council assistant general manager Paul Gallagher said in the report.

Environmental officers at Hume City Council are still investigating the benefits and costs associated with the initiative.

Cr Nunn said the council would consider the costs and benefits carefully.

“It is expensive … so we would like to start with the major parks in the city, which would benefit local residents to be clean and tidy public spaces,” she said.

“Our report will come back to council in about four to five months, by that time it would be available for the public to comment on.”