Solar powered bins to be installed across borough

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council said the new bins could hold at least five times more than traditional litter bins

A Surrey council is installing more than 120 new solar-powered litter bins across its borough.

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council said the bins, some of which can talk back, can hold at least five times more than traditional litter bins and need emptying less often.

It said this would help "improve its environmental and financial sustainability."

Councillor Hannah Avery said the bins would make it easier for people to dispose of their rubbish responsibly and help keep the borough "litter-free and looking good".

Nine of the new bins will be able to talk back and the council said it was working with local schools near the new talking bins to record messages.

The smart bins will compact the waste and send an alert to the borough’s cleansing team so they can be emptied only when needed and before they become full, the local authority said.

This will help the council reduce fuel costs and pollution while freeing up time for the cleansing team to focus on other work, such as clearing up fly tips and graffiti, it added.

The bins will be installed in town centres over the next few weeks and older bins will be removed.

The bins, provided and installed by Future Street, have been funded through the Community Infrastructure Levy which is a charge on new development to help fund the infrastructure needed to support new homes and businesses.