Solar Powered Rubbish Bins. Pictured left to right, East Chesterton ward councillor and executive councillor for climate change and growth Clare Blair, local resident and campaigner Lil Speed and Cambridge City executive councillor for environmental and waste services Mike Pitt. Pic by Marie Huggins

SOLAR powered bins have been installed for the first time in the UK to a Cambridge park.

The so-called Big Belly Bins use solar power to crush rubbish and can hold up to eight times as much as a regular bin.

This means they need emptying less often, resulting in fewer rubbish collections and therefore work towards reducing the city’s carbon footprint.

The first of the new bins has been introduced to Green End Road recreation ground in East Chesterton.

Costing £3,000 – compared to £1,000 for a regular bin its size - it has been paid for using cash from developers building in the area.

Operations manager for streets and open spaces at Cambridge City Council, Bob Carter, said the bin is capable of holding 800 litres of rubbish and needs little daylight to operate.

He said: “It literally gets to a certain level and then a sensor cuts in and crushes the rubbish.

“There are a few more going into the area shortly.”

Cllr Clare Blair, member of Cambridge City Council for East Chesterton and portfolio holder for climate change, said: “We’re trialling the solar bins which are new to the UK but are very well used abroad, particularly in America.

“These bins mean the city council can cut fuel costs and carbon emissions bringing benefits to taxpayers and the environment.

“The bins are also compatible with a SIM card which can send a text or email to a number when they are full.”