The cold snap seems to finally have blown over, hump day is coming to a close, and we’re bringing you your Afternoon Report:
You may have noticed these shiny, brightly-colored new giants hanging around in pairs at the 16th Street BART plaza: The transit agency has recently installed seven two-part units of solar-powered trash and recycling bins near the station entrances and benches.
Capp Street Crap first reported on the bins, some of which use solar power to detect when they are full and issue a notification to service workers. They also compact the waste they contain, so they need to be emptied less often.
Jim Allison, a spokesperson for BART, said the new trash cans are part of a study to see which kinds of waste receptacles encourage customers to recycle more. Two other kinds of updated trash cans will be tested at other stations around the system, and BART will use the results of the study to determine what types should be rolled out throughout the system.
“It’s good, people used to put their garbage all over, now they put it in these,” said one man sitting by the new receptacles. He went on to point out that since there are so many, it’s easier to find a place to can things.
In fact, it’s getting rather crowded with garbage bins. On the western plaza, new and old compete for the refuse of passengers hastily departing the escalator:
But alas, the new has not yet won out over the old in the hearts of trash-creators at 16th street.
“I didn’t even notice,” said another man who was people-watching on a sunny bench in the plaza. But then he glanced at one and decided they’re a good addition. “I just hope people utilize them!” he added.
Most of the filmy old trash cans held just as little or more refuse than their new counterparts. A bin on the western side sidewalk was particularly beleaguered:
Allison said the older receptacles will be removed as soon as work schedules permit. But from this cursory glance, it looks like the crusty old-timers are still the favorites.
This has been your Afternoon Report—a series in which we offer a quickie post-meridian rundown of some minor developments in the always-happening streets of the Mission District. Got ideas or suggestions? Let us know what you think by sending an email to info@missionlocal.com.