Baltimore is spending $15 million to deploy 4,000 sensor-equipped trash receptacles that signal when they need emptying to increase collection efficiency. “The cans come with Wi-Fi; we will utilize this capability to allow the can to transmit information, including how full it is, so we can offer as-needed servicing of the cans,” says Jeffrey Raymond, with the Baltimore Department of Public Works. The solar-powered trash receptacles are manufactured by Ecube Labs, with offices in Los Angeles and South Korea. The company is installing its CleanCUBE bins across Baltimore in three stages, starting with 150 units in the South Baltimore gateway/casino area.

This article appears in the January 2019 issue of Natural Awakenings.