SAN ANTONIO - The City of San Antonio wants to spend $8,000 for a trash can.
Thursday, City Council will vote on whether to purchase 25 solar-powered trash compactors for a total cost of up to $209,399.
The 25 trash compactors would be placed in four of the city’s parks as part of a pilot program.
“It’s an investment in technology,” said Parks and Recreation Manager Krystal Strong. "It allows us to use new and innovative technology to not only work smarter but greener and cleaner."
Five years ago the city made an investment in a handful of trash compactors for Alamo Plaza.
Working off solar power, the compactors can hold five times the amount of trash and when full an electronic message is sent to the city.
Strong said this makes trash pick-up more efficient.
BigBelly Solar, the maker of the trash compactors, has developed a newer model that includes a recycling bin.
"Cities are great places for people to work in, living in harmony with nature,” said Richard Kennelly, VP of BigBelly, in a video on the company’s website. “BigBelly fits right in with that by making the collection and the recycling of waste a lot more efficient."
Strong said the trash compactors should pay for themselves after six years in use.
It’s an investment in the future Strong said, while some taxpayers argue it’s an idea that belongs in the trash.
