A technological innovation in public garbage collection is about to give the Kirkland Central Business District (CBD) a next generation makeover.

Starting on July 18 Waste Management, Inc. (WMI) will be installing 46 new “big belly” solar-powered garbage compactors throughout the CBD to replace the city’s 56 existing garbage cans.

Twenty three of the compactors will be paired with recycling receptacles to create kiosks to make recycling more convenient for residents and visitors to the Kirkland downtown.

The compactors will provide the city with up to five times the garbage capacity of the existing 32-gallon garbage cans while at the same time making collection more efficient by reducing operating costs, fuel usage, and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80 percent.

Each compactor unit is equipped with wireless communication hardware that will enable WMI and city staff to recognize in real time when a compactor is full or nearly full and needs to be emptied. This wireless monitoring capability will significantly increase overall operational efficiency and reduces the number of collection trips.

In January 2010, the Kirkland Solid Waste Division purchased and piloted two garbage and recycling kiosks, one at Marina Park and the other at Lake Street and Park Lane. The pilot overwhelmingly proved the compactors to be a superior alternative to the ordinary street garbage can.

The 46 new compactors are provided to the city and its residents at no cost as a part of its new solid waste contract with Waste Management, Inc. that went into effect on July 1. For more information, contact John MacGillivray, Solid Waste coordinator, at (425) 587-3804 or jmacgillivray@kirklandwa.gov.