These trash compactors are solar-powered and have reduced on-campus trash collection from 14 times/week to an average of 1.6 times/week. Solar compaction has reduced fuel use and associated greenhouse gas emissions by 80%.
Also on campus are cardboard balers, machines that are used to create “bales” of cardboard. Annually, these balers capture and recycle around 150 tons of cardboard on the Charles River and Medical Campuses. The balers are located at the dining facilities and a few other locations where large volumes of cardboard are produced.
