BUFFALO - Mayor Byron Brown Monday participated in a demonstration of an integrated recycling unit, known as the BigBelly® , which the Department of Public Works is testing as part of its ongoing effort to utilize state-of-the-art equipment to support the city’s recycling efforts.

“This is a unique, one-of-a-kind solar-powered recycling unit, which our Public Works Department brought into Niagara Square to test as a possible system for our ongoing recycling program,” said Mayor Brown. “We’re always looking for new and innovative methods to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of recycling around the city and this is a very interesting system, especially with its solar-powered component.”

According to the BigBelly® company background material, the solar compactor, which can contribute to LEED building design credits, is the world’s only system that provides on-site compaction of solid waste and separation of recyclable materials. As a result, the system can provide significant economic, environmental and education benefits.

“Increasing our rate of recycling is an important way to reduce our carbon footprint,” said Mayor Brown.  “We will continue to explore ways in which to increase recycling across the city and examine systems such as the BigBelly® to help us accomplish that goal.”

On Earth Day 2009, the Brown Administration announced its goal to increase the City of Buffalo’s recycling rate 3 per cent by Earth Day 2010.  This increase will save the city nearly $200,000 in garbage handling costs; it will also help to encourage economic development, as recycling creates six times more jobs than landfill processing.