The City of Kalamazoo announced it would remove 58 aging trash cans downtown and replace them with 26 new Bigbelly units, bringing the total to 51 dual trash and recycling bins. Some existing units were moved to busier spots.
Each Bigbelly unit has two sides, one for trash and one for recycling. Sensors let the Downtown Ambassadors know when a unit is full, so they can empty it before it overflows. The goal is less overflow, more reliable pickup times and a cleaner downtown.
The expansion is funded by the Downtown Economic Growth Authority (DEGA).
Recycling right
Interns from Western Michigan University’s Industrial-Organizational Behavior Management program audited the downtown units and found that nearly 44% of what went into the recycling side was contamination, like food waste or items that can’t be recycled. The results are guiding new signs and instructions on the units.
Learn more on the Bigbelly waste and recycling page.
Read the original release (opens in a new tab) from WMUK, reporting on the City of Kalamazoo’s news release.