Solar powered bins for Navan

Big Belly Bins - smartbins that alert the council when they are 80 per cent full- could soon be on the streets of Navan and Johnstown.A meeting of Navan Municipal Council last week heard that there are proposals to  locate a number of bins in Navan and Johnstown.Cllr Francis Deane had asked the council to look at the provision of the bins, pointing out that in 'England they had proved very efficient, economical and environmentally friendly."CCTV cameras on similar bins have also been productive in preventing the dumping of household waste in these bins," he said.Cllr Deane said that people dumping household waste in the bins on the streets was a big problem, which is why he would like to see CCTV provided.Director of Services, Kevin Stewart said that the council already had 30 solar powered Big Belly Bins around the county, and subject to funding, it was proposed to expand the number to provide bins in Navan and Johnstown.While the bins are significantly more expensive to buy than the normal bins, the advantages include the amount of litter they can hold and the reduced number of collections.The machines send a text to the council when it is 80 per cent full, so that collection can be arranged. Councillors were told it was hoped they would be provided before the end of the year in high use areas.