The downtown will now have eight pickup sites that include dumpsters or Vert-I-Pack trash compactors. “Vert-I-Pack is a dumpster that has an automated packing system on top of it, which allows ...

The University of Houston has 80 dual recycling receptacles and solar-powered trash compactors, manufactured by Big Belly Solar. Eight of the units were rolled out last year, at a cost of $7,083 ...

The compactor has a solar panel on top that collects energy. When the bin becomes full, the compactor presses down on the trash to pack it down until it fills up again.

What was the council’s solution for a $423,000 expenditure they derided? They voted to spend $264,298 to buy another 55 solar trash cans.