From a couple yards away, the BigBelly trash compactor looks a lot like a standard-issue trash can.

But its rather unremarkable exterior hides some pretty state-of-the-art gadgetry that’s meant to cut down on manpower expenditures, reduce fuel and electrical use and perhaps protect the environment.

Greenspaces Chattanooga, the local initiative aimed at introducing environmentally friendly practices, bought the machine and gave it to the city of Chattanooga. Its first run will be at this weekend’s Head of the Hooch rowing competition on the Tennessee River near Ross’s Landing. This is the first time the solar-powered machine will be used in the state.

“The city approached us, looking to purchase on of these BigBellies,” said Jeff Cannon, Greenspaces director. “It acts as a solar trash can, but it also has a recycling bin on it, so that’s why we liked it.”

The can costs about $5,000, Mr. Cannon said. Eventually, though the device could pay for itself, he said.

The compactor can squeeze up to 175 gallons of trash in the same amount of space as a standard public trash barrel. It is powered by a solar panel on top of the machine, which makes it perfect for events like the Hooch, where spectators will drop a tremendous amount of garbage.

“If you can reduce your pickup trips ... to just once a week, you are going to save a lot of labor costs. You don’t have those trash trucks running all around, and they get about four or five miles per gallon,” said Jeff Recker, whose company, Flatstone Creek of Nashville markets and distributes the BigBelly cans, which are headquartered in Massachusetts.

Mr. Cannon said his group might buy more BigBellies in the future, but Greenspaces also would like to see more recycling initiatives at city events, noting that Chattanooga’s biggest outdoor festival, Riverbend, dumps practically all of its trash in lieu of recycling.

The solar-powered trash can is set up for viewing and use today by the BigBelly tent near Ross’s Landing.

Head of the Hooch pushes off today with competitions at 9 a.m. and will continue through Sunday evening. About 10,000 people are expected to attend.

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