Students may have seen what seems to resemble a book drop outside Curtiss Hall recently, but shouldn’t be fooled.

It’s the new solar-powered trash compactor, BigBelly, put in place by Facilities Planning and Management.

Its first location was near Parks Library, but a problem not anticipated was that students mistook it for a book drop.

“We didn’t foresee that it would be mistaken as a book drop, and that’s exactly what happened,” said Bob Currie, assistant director of facilities services. “The library got inquiries about their new book drop, and books were actually placed in the container.”

In a Keep Iowa State Beautiful! initiative, facilities planning and management recently invested in a $4,000 solar-powered trash can.

According to the BigBelly Solar’s Web site, “BigBelly can operate for eight years on the equivalent energy it takes to drive a garbage truck one mile.”

“We got this during the summer and immediately wanted to put it out,” Currie said.

Inside the trash compactor is an optical sensor. When the trash gets to a certain level, the optical sensor triggers the compactor to begin.

“We’re not sure how many cycles it takes until it’s full,” Currie said, “but the compactor can hold five times as much trash as a regular trash can. As a result, there is four times less labor, fuel and resources involved.”

The trash can was placed outside Curtiss Hall because of the constant foot traffic caused by student events and class attendance during this time of year, which means potential to generate trash.

Other areas facilities planning and management considered for BigBelly’s location are near tailgate activities during football season, the Memorial Union, the west side of campus and near the design building.

“We would like to get more, but they’re a little pricey right now, this one costing $4,000. We’ll see how well it’s received and its impact on the trash removal process,” Currie said.

Students can take action to help the Keep Iowa State Beautiful! Initiative. Currie said they should try to reduce the volume of trash that comes to campus.

“Instead of buying a disposable bottle of water, have a reusable container with you,” Currie said. “And if you see trash that’s been left behind, take the time to pick it up.”

BigBelly Solar, the company based out of Needham, Mass., is focused on the idea: “Saving fuel is environmentally and fiscally sound.”