Date: June 3, 2011
Source: Waste Management, Inc.
Waste Management (Houston, TX) said that it has developed a product called the SmartEnergy Compactor that uses a solar panel to operate the controls of a compacting dumpster. The dumpster can also be remotely monitored to avoid unnecessary servicing. The technology behind the electronic control system originated at Big Belly Solar, which makes public trash and recycling bins equipped with solar panels that power a motor to compact the trash. Waste Management invested in Big Belly Solar in 2009. Waste Management said the solar panel system saves money on hauling and is a visible way for dumpster users to use renewable energy.
PRESS RELEASE
June 02, 2011
Waste Management Announces The SmartEnergy Compactor
Energy efficiency and compactor monitoring services translate into key cost savings for customers.
Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE: WM) today announced the new SmartEnergySM Compactor which could reduce electricity consumption by as much as 70 percent versus traditional compactors, resulting in lower operating costs and a lower carbon footprint for customers. The SmartEnergy Compactor is the latest innovative technology from North America's leading environmental solutions company, helping businesses meet their sustainability goals. This new solution enables WM to know its customers better and service them more efficiently than ever before.
Each SmartEnergy compactor comes equipped with WM's Compactor Monitoring Service (CMS). This technology enables WM to optimize the servicing of customers' compactors, eliminating the costs and inconvenience of unnecessary pickups while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Waste Management specialists monitor customer compactors remotely and use proprietary hardware and software to maximize the efficiency and value of each collection. This service also removes the burden of monitoring compactors from customers, allowing them to concentrate on running their businesses.
Another energy-saving feature of the SmartEnergy Compactor is the chargebox fullness indicator, which encourages users to run cycles only when needed, thereby reducing their electricity usage and carbon footprint. In addition to these energy-saving features, the new solution provides compaction performance and cycle times equal to traditional compactors.
The SmartEnergy compactor's electronic controls are powered with solar energy provided by Big Belly SolarTM, while the compactor motor is traditionally powered. Furthermore, the SmartEnergy Compactor is equipped with constant AC-powered backup so that if the battery doesn't have the maximum solar charge, customers can always run a cycle while the battery recovers.
"The new SmartEnergy Compactor is a big win for both our customers and Waste Management," said Rick Cochrane, senior business director at WM. "Our customers are now able to operate in a more environmentally friendly manner while saving costs and improving their bottom line. In turn, Waste Management can continue to service customers better than anyone else in the industry while remaining good environmental stewards. The SmartEnergy Compactor can be a clear statement by our customers to their stakeholders that, as a business, they are commitment to sustainability."
about waste management
Waste Management, Inc., based in Houston, Texas, is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management services in North America. Through its subsidiaries, the company provides collection, transfer, recycling and resource recovery, and disposal services. It is also the largest residential recycler and a leading developer, operator and owner of waste-to-energy and landfill gas-to-energy facilities in the United States. The company's customers include residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers throughout North America. To learn more information about Waste Management visit www.wm.com or www.thinkgreen.com.
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