FOUR solar powered smart bins are set to be installed in an area of outstanding beauty after visitors left piles of rubbish in a famous village.
Two bins will be placed in Dedham’s Mill Lane car park, one in Mill Pond car park, with the fourth one being installed in Dedham High Street.
Last summer, large piles of rubbish were abandoned near the the footpath gate leading towards Flatford.
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The four 120 litre ‘Mr Fill’ bins will now be able to hold over five times more rubbish than a standard bin and a fill indicator will show when they are nearing capacity.
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The bins, which are the joint effort of Colchester Council and Dedham Parish Council, were provided by street furniture company Wybone and can notify council operatives when they need emptying.
They can also talk, giving the ability to engage with residents even further.
Jonathan Smith, chairman of the parish council, said: “With five times the capacity of normal bins and a facility to self-lock when they are full, we hope to see a cleaner village particularly in times of high visitor numbers.
“The need for less bins for the same amount of waste is also a clear benefit for us as it potentially reduces the amount of street furniture in the village.”
Equipped with 24/7 LED lighting, the bins are also noticeable in the dark.
A heavy-duty foot pedal also allows users to dispose of waste without having to touch the cover with their hands.
Colchester councillor Simon Crow, who is responsible for environment and sustainability, said: “These smart bins are fantastic and we are delighted to work with Dedham Parish Council to invest in advanced technology that we really believe can make a difference for a cleaner Colchester.
“I hope it also makes individuals think twice about abandoning waste so that we can all enjoy the benefits of living in a clean and tidy area.”
The four bins will replace the nine current litter and dog bins across Dedham.
Councillor Beverley Oxford, who is responsible for communities, added: “These bins can really make a difference, but without the support of our residents to help us clean the borough, littering will continue to be a problem.”
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