FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 3, 2018
Transcona BIZ unveils first Solar Powered Trash Container in Winnipeg
Winnipeg, MB, May 3, 2018 – Tomorrow, on the day of its massive Community Spring Cleanup event taking place on May 4, 2018, Transcona BIZ will unveil its Big Belly Solar Trash Compactor at a demonstration and “ribbon cutting” ceremony. It’s the first Big Belly in Winnipeg, up and running almost a year after the BIZ pitched the idea of a pilot project for these units to Transcona Councillor, Russ Wyatt.
The new Big Belly, located at 117 Regent Ave West, replaces one of the standard-issue City of Winnipeg Duo waste and recycling containers. It can accommodate 5 times the amount of waste as these old containers as each time the unit gets close to capacity, the solar-powered compactor inside the Big Belly compresses the waste.
Equipped with a cellular connection, the bin communicates back to City and BIZ staff that it is getting full and ready for a pick up, through a smart phone app. Pick ups can then be scheduled only when needed but before the bin gets over full, saving fuel, staff time and other resources.
Alex Morrison, Executive Director of the BIZ is thrilled to have this high-tech waste management system in Transcona. “I have seen these bins at work on Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, and in downtown Penticton, BC, and in both places the streets were pristine” says Alex. “We are all very excited to have the first one in Manitoba here in downtown Transcona!”
Winnipeg-based Sycamore Energy is the Manitoba distributor for the Big Belly Solar Trash Compactor.
“We’re very happy to be able to bring this clean, green technology to our province and see it in action,” says Justin Phillips, President and CEO of Sycamore Energy. “The Big Belly is the perfect combination of renewable energy and waste reduction.”
If the pilot is successful, the BIZ plans on providing additional Big Bellies in strategic locations throughout the Transcona business improvement zone. Funding for this pilot project was provided by the BIZ and the City of Winnipeg Community Incentive grant program.
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About the Transcona BIZ: Our mission is to create a place where businesses prosper, and our community thrives. With over 150 business members the Transcona BIZ facilitates events, community programming, beautification, streetscaping, placemaking and public art, to make Transcona a family-friendly destination to live, work and play.
About Sycamore Energy: Sycamore Energy is Manitoba’s leading developer of residential, commercial and agricultural solar photovoltaic projects. The company has installed solar arrays across the province and is at the leading edge of other innovative alternative energy and green technology concepts, like the Big Belly Solar Trash Compactor. Contact: 204 691 7775. Information: SycamoreEnergy.com
Media are invited to attend the demonstration and ribbon cutting:
| Taking place on: May 4th, 2018, 117 Regent Ave, W, 2:00 pm. |
For more details contact: Alex Morrison Executive Director Transcona BIZOffice: 204-222-8566, Cell (texts and/or calls) 204-955-1839 |
