'Smart' trash can knows when to compact

New York city is testing a new high-tech trash can, knowsn as the 'BigBelly' that uses solar power to sense when it is full and then automatically compact the garbage inside.

The company claims that when garbage inside the BigBelly reaches a certain level, it is automatically compacted, making room for more. When BigBelly is full, a red indicator light goes on and it can even send out a wireless call for a pickup, the company claims.

BigBelly can reduce trash to a quarter of its original size, according to the company's Web site.

More info can be found here.

Ha! How much are these things expected to cost? I want one!

Taken from www.fortune.com... ,00.html

"But to reach its growth potential it will have to persuade long-haul waste collectors to purchase its $5,000 device, which costs more than many rival compactors"

Sure its a cool garbage can but shouldnt this drawn the line, shoulnt these scientists be working on finding cures for cancer and stuff besides finding a way to make your garbage can cooler? i mean there are much more important stuff in this country, world, galaxy, universe to be discovered or made better and the government paqys people to invent trash cans or new high tech toilets and stuff, i mean jeeze comon...

Thats great! Now I dont have to have compact it myself! Hurray!

Oh come on, this is nothing compared to what's going on in other areas. The TV commercials are like 50% about cialis and levitra and stuff like that, and all these scientists could be working on cure for cancer. Speaking of which how many different models of SUVs or other cars does the society really need?

It's capitalism, and that's the deal. If the smart can saves money, it'll be adopted, if not tough. Makes sense?

yeah i know garbage cans and toilets arent the biggest areas, but still im a techie, i like to follow up on technological advances and things like that, i do enjoy watching G4TechTV alot, but anyhow i know people that specifically follow up on new computers and stuff, but ive never heard of anyone that is truely interested in garbage can technology...