Pasadena to install more solar-powered trash cans

Nicole Santa Cruz
Los Angeles Times

Pasadena’s trash cans are about to get fancy.

Late Monday night, the City Council approved a work order to place 40 additional self-compacting solar energy trash cans throughout the city, in addition to the 12 the city already operates.

The city is joining Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Boston and Philadelphia in using the trash cans, called BigBelly Solar Compactors, according to the vendor’s website. The 40 receptacles will cost $146,550.

The trash bins, which first started appearing on Pasadena street corners in 2007, can compact 200 gallons of trash into one 60-gallon “neat” bag, said Gabriel Silva, the environmental programs manager with the city’s Department of Public Works.

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