PEAT Peaks Environmental Action Team

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/07/26/solar_power_compactors_press_the_mess_in_boston/

[Solar trash compactors] are boxy and green and, at first glance, don't even look like garbage cans; as [Boston] Mayor Thomas M. Menino demonstrated their use yesterday, some people downtown mistook them for mail drops or traffic-light switch boxes.

They are Menino's latest idea for keeping the city litter-free: solar-powered, self-compacting trash receptacles. Delivering a rant about overstuffed trash cans, while trying to scrape gum off the bottom of his shoe at a Downtown Crossing unveiling, Menino described the virtues of the new devices. They need emptying only once or twice a day, not the 15 or more sanitation worker visits required by some downtown trash cans. They don't spill. They smell less. And, they hold some 150 gallons of trash, about five times more than a standard city receptacle.

Developed by a Jamaica Plain inventor, they are powered by photoelectric panels, which supply power to motor-driven compactors inside. Workers extract neat, 40-pound trash bricks instead of trying to manhandle the messy contents of an overflowing can. [...]

from Mary Anne Mitchell

Further details about the recycling bins on Peaks Island:

• There are 7 containers all down front.  The year round one at the entrance to the boat, one in the waiting room by the boat, one in front of Peaks Café, one in front of the ice cream store, one on the other corner by  the bulletin board, one by the post office, and one outside the library and community center.
• The bags come from Public Works at the island transfer station.  There should be extra bags in the bottom of the containers for people to use when emptying the bins. If you need more, I also have bags on my porch at 31 Sterling Street.
• When taking bottles out, you can spot check for garbage. We are currently in the process of having all recycling bins clearly marked cans and bottles only.
• You can double-bag the bottles so there will be no leakage.  You can then reuse the outer bag again if you'd like.
• Pick bottles up whatever way works for you -- daily, two or three times a week. As this is the beginning of the recycling effort, we are not certain how often the bins need to be checked, and the frequency will likely depend on the weather and foot traffic on the island.
• Casco Bay Lines will ship the bottles over for free. Nick Mavodones approved the arrangement, so if there are any questions, please refer them to him. Also, if you can find someone that goes to town regularly in a truck, you could ask if he or she would transport them.
• I have gone to the East End Redemption Center on Washington Ave., on the left hand side of the street, right before getting on I-295 north.  You can take them anywhere you want if that is easier for you. If you're going into town you can bring over a bag or two of redeemables in your island cart, for example.

If you have any other questions, or problems, you can call Mary Anne at 766-5152. This is an ongoing process to make it as easy as possible for the people picking up. Thanks to everyone picking up.

Update: The recycling bins have been stored for the off-season, and will return next year!

After months of preparation, everything came together in time for us to unveil seven new recycling bins for cans & bottles next to each of the trash containers down front.  Our goal is to give summer visitors the opportunity to dispose of these items in an environmentally friendly fashion.  An added benefit will be the refund money, which goes directly to the local non-profit organizations who have volunteered to keep the bins emptied and their contents transported to the mainland. To see all the bins, and learn about the island artists who decorated them, go to www.peaksrecycles.org.

The locations of the seven bins (six seasonal, one year-round) are shown below. Please click on the picture to see more detail at Google Maps.