BigBelly Solar Compactor
As part of the design team at Insight Product Development, I played a pivotal role in developing the original BigBelly solar-powered waste compactor. The project helped launch one of the first IoT-enabled smart waste solutions for cities worldwide. Working closely with the Bigbelly team, we transformed an early-stage prototype into a durable, commercially viable, and scalable product ready for large-scale manufacturing and public deployment.
Smart system, smart cities
The bins feature smart sensors that monitor and report fill levels to the CLEAN Software platform, enabling optimized collection routes, reducing unnecessary pickups, and lowering urban carbon emissions.
Building a deeper connection
“We were making a machine that was aesthetically unacceptable to our target client base. We were out there selling boxy-looking, ugly machines for close to two years and no one was buying. We needed a change.”
-James Poss, founder
Designs that more closely resembled traditional waste bins were preferred by municipal customers, while also providing users with an immediate visual cue that the device was intended for waste disposal.
Dedicated advertising space was a key design requirement, creating an opportunity for passive revenue throughout the product's lifecycle. The additional income helped offset both purchase and ongoing maintenance costs.
Bigbelly waste bins feature a modular, heavy-duty enclosure designed for public environments. Durable, weather-resistant panels are easily replaced in the field, support advertising graphics, and allow multiple units to be linked together for waste, recycling, and compost collection.
BigBelly, in a city near you!
