Waste disposal on a street level is crying out for modernisation. Even though recycling points are beginning to appear throughout our citiesmost rubbish bins are basically just bin-liner holders.

Fueled by the inadequacies of our current waste disposal system, we are beginning to see some truly innovative ideas that could change the way we treat our rubbish.

One example is Haneum Lee’s Gaon Street Light, which is powered by waste food products. Pedestrians place their waste inside, and the methane it releases whilst decomposing powers the lighting.

It’s an interesting idea, albeit one that would face many issues. How much rubbish would be required to power the lamp? Can food waste produce enough methane to consistently power the lighting? What would happen when a pedestrian inevitably places non-biodegradable waste inside?

Perhaps a better option would be the Big Belly Solar Compactor , a rubbish bin that applies innovative technologies to a more traditional waste disposal system.

The average on-street rubbish bin has a capacity of 32 gallons, which means it has to be emptied on numerous occasions throughout the day. This rubbish is collected by waste-disposal trucks and compacted.

The Big Belly compacts its own rubbish, meaning it has a capacity of up to 200 gallons, and once full, it sends a text message to the city council to empty it. This means collection trips only occur when needed.

The bins are totally off the grid, receiving all the power they need to function from solar panels. The Big Belly Solar Compactor is currently being used in 40 states in America and is saving city councils time and money, with Philadelphia City predicting annual savings of $875,000.