Borough’s solar powered litter bins clean up with Green World Award!

The award, which is part of a global campaign to find the world's greenest countries, companies and communities, was recently presented to the Council and its supplier partner, Future Street, at a ceremony in the House of Lords. It recognises the joint project to install more than 120 solar compacting big belly bins during November 2024.

The solar-powered bins automatically compact waste to provide increased litter storage and alert the Council’s Cleansing team when they reach 80% capacity so that they can be emptied before they overflow. This has significantly reduced street litter and fly tipping in the borough’s four town centres, particularly at weekends. For example, following the 2025 Reigate Christmas Fayre, which takes place on the first Saturday of December, there was two-thirds less street litter left behind than in pre compacting bins years.

Since the installation of the bins, the Council has estimated that it spends around 50% less time emptying litter bins in town centres which has saved on fuel requirements and reduced C02 emissions. It has also freed up cleansing staff to concentrate on other areas, such as leaf blowing, litter picking and street sweeping.

Cllr Hannah Avery, Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “The compacting big belly bins, which have smart technology, allow our Cleansing team to maximise their efficiency and help us to reduce our carbon footprint.

“We have located the 120 solar-powered bins where they are needed most and where they make it easier for people to dispose of their rubbish responsibly at any time of day or week. Since they were installed, the bins have made a big difference in keeping our town centres and popular parks looking good and litter free.

“I’d like to thank all those involved in project – in particular our supplier partner, Future Street, and our Cleansing team – and, of course, everyone who is using the big belly bins to improve the local environment for everyone.”

The litter bins, provided and installed by Future Street, were funded through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). This is a charge on new developments which funds improvements to our Borough and the infrastructure needed to support new homes and businesses.

The project competed against more than 500 other nominations in the Green World Awards 2025 and took away the silver award within the category 'Utilities: Environmental Improvement'. The awards are organised by The Green Organisation – an international, independent, non-political, non-profit environment group dedicated to recognising, rewarding and promoting environmental best practice around the world, and are supported by the Environment Agency, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, the Chartered Institution for Wastes Management and other independent bodies.