SAN FRANCISCO—San Francisco Mayor Mark Farrell announced on Thursday, May 3 the installation of new smart technology trash receptacles, to address the importance of street cleanliness in communities throughout the city of San Francisco.
According to a press release from the Mayor’s Office, the popular trash bins—called Bigbelly containers—have automatic compacters inside, which helps them contain five times more waste than a regular receptacle, and they are outfitted with wireless automated real-time technology that immediately alerts collectors when they are full. Mayor Farrell and the City’s Fix-It Team installed five Bigbelly containers in the Castro District, and are set to add five more each in the Central Market, Civic Center and Tenderloin neighborhoods, as part of a partnership with local Community Benefit Districts.
“We are going to aggressively clean the streets of San Francisco by investing in programs that work,” said Mayor Farrell. “These trash receptacles have a proven track record of success—they are efficient, smart answers to our cleanliness problems. Our neighbors, families and business owners deserve to live in communities that are clean and safe, and these bins will help us reach that goal.”
Bigbelly receptacles reduce unnecessary waste collection services, while eliminating windblown litter and trash flows. The bins accommodate landfill, recycling and compost streams at a single location and they operate on solar power.
The new receptacles are part of Mayor Farrell’s street cleanliness efforts, which is a top priority for the upcoming fiscal year. Mayor Farrell previously announced his comprehensive citywide street cleaning plan, which will fund $12.8 million in new investments over the next two years. Mayor Farrell will increase the reach of the City’s Fix-It Team. A multi-agency unit that quickly responds to quality-of-life concerns raised by communities, the Fix-It Team will expand from 25 to 35 focus areas, providing additional opportunities for the group to address issues such as graffiti, broken streetlights and overgrown shrubbery. The Bigbelly receptacles will play an important role in the Fix-It Team’s cleanup efforts.
“We are energized by Mayor Farrell’s leadership and we share our communities’ visions for cleaner, better neighborhoods,” said Fix-It Director Sandra Zuniga. “We are confident that the Bigbelly cans will lead to improved sidewalk cleanliness and we plan to measure their impact through data, observation and public survey. This is an exciting new addition to our cleanliness efforts.”
Mayor Farrell recently announced a new rapid response team dedicated to cleaning up discarded needles. The group will take a targeted, focused approach to disposing the syringes, canvassing areas based on resident complaints. The preliminary installation of the Bigbelly receptacles will be funded by the Office of Economic and Workforce Development. The Bigbelly receptacles are supported by business districts concerned with cleanliness issues in their communities.
“Clean and safe streets are essential to vibrant neighborhoods and good quality of life,” said Todd Rufo, Director of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development. “Partnering with the Fix-It Team and local Community Benefit Districts to bring the Bigbelly system to San Francisco is a long-term investment that will help us keep San Francisco a great place to live and work.”
“The Castro/Upper Market Community Benefit District is excited to be partnering with the City on the Bigbelly project,” said Andrea Aiello, Executive Director of the Castro/Upper Market Community Benefit District. “The Bigbelly cans in the Castro have been placed in very high trafficked areas and we are hopeful they will help keep these corners clean. For starters, once the trash is in the can, it can’t come out so we won’t see unsightly overflowing trashcans and scavenging will be reduced, helping the CBD keep the neighborhood clean.”
