Solar-powered, high-tech garbage cans are to be installed on the lakeshore in Chicago, which the city hopes will help reduce the amount of garbage that collects on the beaches in summertime.
"The 'BigBelly' devices-already in use in a handful of cities including New York and Boston-use solar panels to recharge a 12-volt battery powering the compactor's electrical motor. The metal containers, resembling deposit bins for library books, also will save energy by requiring fewer trash pickups."
"BigBelly containers have done well in a downtown test run, requiring only one-fourth of the pickups of normal trash bins, city officials said."
"The compactors can hold four to five times more garbage than the regular 95-gallon bins currently used, district officials said. When trash levels reach a certain level, an optical beam is broken, and the container compacts the trash, making space for more garbage. Lights outside the container indicate if the device is full, compacting or ready to take more garbage."
FULL STORY: 'Trash eaters' will clean city beaches

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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