Trash, Be Gone: New, Solar Powered Receptacle Coming To Greenport

GREENPORT, NY — With a focus on beautifying the village and keeping litter off the sidewalks and streets, the Greenport village board voted unanimously Thursday night to move forward with ordering a new, solar-powered trash receptacle.

The vote came after a huge-hearted businesswoman decided once again to give back to her community.

Sharon Sailor, owner of Front Street Station in Greenport, recently commissioned a local artist to work magic on a big silver cooler box behind her business — and now, her generosity continues: She's offered to pay to lease a Big Belly solar-powered trash receptacle for Greenport for a full year.

Southold Town recently installed two Big Belly receptacles on Love Lane in Mattituck and town officials have said they not only promote recycling and keep waste inside the bins, but have a five to one compaction reaction, resulting in cleaner public spaces and a reduction in collection costs of about $4,000 annually.

Sailor, along with Mindy Ryan, who spearheaded the "One Bag At A Time" project to help reduce litter in the village, came before the Greenport Village Board to give a presentation on the Big Belly receptacles last week.

"Sharon and I certainly appreciate the willingness of the village board to support our initiative," Ryan said Friday. "This is just the first step in making recycling a common practice in the Village of Greenport. Getting to this point was a real team effort and not just between Sharon and myself. We really saw the community come out in support of this online."

She added that while there may have been some negative comments on social media, those "only made us stronger. We took the time to answer all of those concerns and we feel strongly that this is a very positive thing."

She added, "I have to really thank Sharon for making it so easy. We were just about to start fundraising when she decided to donate the lease herself. Super generous!"

Sailor spoke to Patch about why she took the lead in wanting to bring the compactor to Greenport.

"I was going to donate, anyway, and the initial idea to have the 'people' donate one to the village was mine. When I first started I was unaware you could lease them, so that changed the whole dynamic. You know, I love a project, I love to give back. I feel that when you do good for others and give of yourself it comes back to you exponentially. Separately, we are all just little buildings in Greenport. Working together for the greater good, we are a community, and this is the least I can do as part of such."

Ryan reported on behalf of the sidewalk committee of the Greenport Village Business Improvement District.

"Trash is a hot topic in the village. We have two big issues, overflowing garbage cans and the fact that we don't recycle. The Big Belly will help address both of those," Ryan said.

From her work with the "One Bag At A Time Project," Ryan said, "I see what is out there. I estimate 85 to 90 percent of what I pick up off the streets and sidewalks could have been recycled for free before it became litter."

When the village crews empty the garbage cans they take it to the Southold Town transfer station where they go over the scale and pay the commercial rate of about five cents a pound, she said. "If we collect recyclables we can take those to the transfer station for free," she said.

The Big Belly that's being considered is a duo so it has one side for recyclables and one side for garbage; both sides compact five times, Ryan said. She added that the units on Love Lane do not compact the recyclables; the unit considered for Greenport is a bit more expensive.

Sailor will pay for a one-year lease, at a cost of roughly $2,800, as well as for the cost of shipping and initial set up. If the village does not take over the least next year, Ryan said, "We are confident we can raise money to cover the lease."

The Big Belly is slated to be ordered from Needham, MA on Friday, Ryan said. Delivery will take about four weeks so the Big Belly could arrive by late July, she added.

"The capacity is compacted 33 gallons, approximately 150 gallons of uncompacted material," Ryan said. "So you're taking 150 gallons of trash and squishing it down to 33 gallons," for both the trash and recyclables.

Trustee Mary Bess Phillips said the board will decide where it will be sited.

Patch photo of Love Lane Big Belly by Lisa Finn.