Bigbelly bins to be installed across Banks Peninsula

The installation by Christchurch City Council of extra solar-powered Bigbelly rubbish bins across Banks Peninsula aims to ease the pressure on collection services and facilities as Akaroa readies for another busy summer visitor season.

Nine “smart” bins will be in place by November as part of the city’s smart waste network including six smart bins to be installed in Akaroa, along with one each in Little River, Corsair Bay and Naval Point in Lyttelton.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Tourism Infrastructure Fund has provided $86,790 towards the installation of the bins.

The double bins will also have Wi-Fi capability for public use within a 60metre radius.

A built-in solar cell-powered compactor means that the bins can swallow up to five times more rubbish than a standard waste bin, helping to deal with the influx of day-trippers, cruise ship visitors and freedom campers.

The Council bins utilise smart sensors that detect rubbish levels and alert maintenance contractors when nearing capacity so that the bins can be emptied on demand.

Christchurch City Council Head of Parks Andrew Rutledge notes the smart waste solution better addresses the needs of Banks Peninsula as visitors pour into the popular recreational area.

Rutledge advises “By pinpointing tourist hotspots and introducing more Bigbelly bins, we can better keep up with the demands on waste services.

“The smart bins prevent rubbish overflows, ensuring public spaces are better maintained during high-use periods over summer.

“We can also optimise our waste collection service. We will place the bins in the region’s high-demand areas, including the waterfront in Akaroa.”

The compacting and online alert systems utilised by the bins ensure optimum use of waste collectors’ time while the technology prevents rubbish overflow.

Daily data provides updates on the capacity status of each bin.

Akaroa’s public toilet facilities will also undergo an upgrade in preparation for the summer visitor rush.

The existing block of public toilets in Rue Jolie – behind the Akaroa Service Centre – will be demolished to make way for a 13 metre long prefabricated block housing eight toilets.