Sydney’s Northern Beaches Council is trialling two solar powered self-compacting smart bins at Shelly Beach.

The new solar powered bins compact waste periodically reducing the number of times the bins need to be emptied.

The trial is part of the Smart Beaches Project, an initiative which uses technology to increase safety as well as improve public amenities at beaches.

Mayor Michael Regan said the smart bins will be of significant benefit to the community as they compact waste periodically to reduce the amount of times the bins need to be emptied.

Regan said Shelly Beach was deliberately chosen as a trial site due to its popularity all year round with local residents as well as visitors to the Northern Beaches.

“Council is always keen to explore avenues to improve waste management around our beaches and parks.

“No one likes to see piles of rubbish falling out of bins and it can be difficult to keep up with demand at times.

“These smart bins compact waste to increase capacity, which is significant – plus we are also hoping it will result in an improved service which is more cost effective for ratepayers,’’ Regan said.

If the trial is successful, council hopes to roll out the smart bins to other locations across the Northern Beaches.

Smart Beaches has been part funded by the Federal Government’s Smart Cities and Suburbs Program and is also being completed in partnership with Lake Macquarie City Council and the University of Technology, Sydney.

Comment below to have your say on this story.

If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at info@3.106.117.80. 

Sign up to INCLEAN’s newsletter.