Schools, cities saving green with BigBellys and Vending Misers

Sometimes seemingly small changes can add up to big savings for budgets and the environment.

Responsible schools such as Iowa State University are seeking out new technologies to do just that. ISU is using BigBelly solar powered trash cans to cut back on waste removal and Vending Misers to minimize the cost of keeping pop machines cool.

It looks like a normal trash can, but it’s far from it. BigBelly uses solar power to compact trash on the spot, which means the cans have to be emptied about five times less, according to http://bigbellysolar.com. Even though they cost around $4,000 a piece, the company says they’ll pay for themselves after a year and a half. Iowa State with its 27,000 some students is a big market, but hardly BigBelly’s biggest. The company sold 500 of the high tech cans to Philadelphia, which could save $13 million in 10 years with them. The cans are typically attached to recycling containers.

“This technology will save taxpayers money, introduce sidewalk recycling and keep our streets clean,” Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter said. “This is one more important step toward achieving our sustainability goals.”

Instead of illuminating hallways and subways with Pepsi and Coke signs at all hours, the Vending Miser puts vending machines on a standby mode while not being used. The lights go off and the machine only runs enough to keep beverages cool. Vending Misers only cost a couple hundred dollars, and can pay for themselves in a year or two.

Iowa State installed 168, and expects to save $13,000 per year, according to the Chicago Tribune. The company Web site says 500,000 of these have already been installed across the continent, which means electricity savings of around $4 million a year.

Hopefully, more schools, cities and companies will see the benefits of these technologies. These aren’t take-one-for-the-green-team ideas, either. They have clear economic benefits; as far as an accountant is concerned, the environmental impact is just icing on the cake.