EAST PROVIDENCE —The Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation recently awarded East Providence a $33,232 grant for the purchase of the recycling portion of eight "Bigbelly" double station kiosks for the city’s recreation facilities.

The "smart" waste and recycling system has gained a global following and represents the next generation of rubbish collection in urban and rural environments. The trash and recycle station combines one smart, solar-powered, compacting waste station along with a standard capacity station.

Both units are equipped with sensors that monitor and report on fullness levels, along with various alerts such as the door has been left open or if the hopper has jammed. The double station "harvests" solar power to compact waste and communicate its real-time status. The enclosed hoppers ensure total waste containment.

“I want to acknowledge and thank our Public Works Program Coordinator Donna McMahon for her commitment to recycling in our city and work on this grant,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said. “It is because of people like her and others in city government that we are able to move the needle on proper recycling.”

Because RIRRC's grant awards for public space recycling is for 100 percent of the recycling portion of the unit, the city's matching funds will provide funding for the trash portion of the kiosks.

“We are excited to introduce these barrels throughout East Providence to help educate the community on appropriate and proper recycling and trash disposal,” said East Providence Department of Public Works Director Dan Borges. “These barrels will also provide the city consistent and uniform recycling throughout our parks and public spaces while helping to reduce wind-blown litter as well as vehicle fuel consumption with fewer required collections.”

East Providence recently received other RIRRC grant funds which allowed for the printing of the annual recycling calendar including corresponding advertisements in the local media, curbside enforcement efforts and containers to expand the drop-off program. Other monies helped the city increase proper recycling, divert items from the landfill and ultimately assisted East Providence in maintaining its diversion rate (over the state’s required 50 percent).

“The city continues to impress Resource Recovery with their dedication to recycling right,” said RIRRC Executive Director Joe Reposa. “We are thrilled to support this grant to increase public space recycling and promote recycling right with the use of Rhode Island’s standardized mixed recycling labels.”