Garbage disposal just got a little more high-tech on Love Lane.
Southold Town installed two BigBelly “smart” trash compactors on the Mattituck street last week.
“As part of the renewal of the town’s solid waste management plan with the DEC, we are defining ways to decrease solid waste and increase commercial recycling,” Councilman Bill Ruland said.
The trash cans, made by BigBelly, use solar power to compact trash to help reduce the number of pickups per week — particularly on weekends and holidays. Each unit has receptacles for both garbage and recyclables. When the trash can is full, crews are alerted that it needs to be emptied.
The units were installed on June 21, replacing smaller older trash receptacles to “better manage litter and vastly improve recycling.”
For now, the units are the only two planned by the town, though Ruland says they will evaluate their effectiveness during the next budget year and consider expanding.
