Belfast City Council Expands SMART Bin Roll-Out After Successful City Centre Trial

Belfast City Council is replacing standard city centre litter bins with solar-powered SMART compactor bins. The new bins can hold more waste, reduce collections, support recycling, and help keep busy areas cleaner.

Belfast SMART Bin Roll-Out Expands Across City Centre

Belfast City Council is expanding its Belfast SMART bin roll-out after a successful trial at City Hall.

The council is replacing 20 traditional litter bins with 13 high-tech SMART compactor bins across key city centre locations. Three of the new units will be dedicated recycling SMART bins.

Where the New SMART Bins Will Be Installed

The new bins will be placed in some of Belfast’s busiest areas, including:

• Donegall Place
• Donegall Square North
• Royal Avenue
• High Street, outside Centra

The changes include:

• 14 standard bins replaced on Donegall Place
• Four standard bins replaced on Donegall Square North
• Two standard bins replaced on Royal Avenue
• One new SMART bin installed on High Street

How Belfast SMART Bins Work

The SMART bins use solar-powered compaction technology. This allows each bin to hold up to five times more waste than a standard street bin.

They also include internal sensors that monitor how full each bin is. Cleansing teams are then alerted when a collection is needed.

This means council crews do not need to make unnecessary trips to empty half-full bins.

Cleaner Streets and Fewer Collections

According to Belfast City Council, data from the City Hall pilot showed the SMART bins reduced collection frequency by more than 80%.

This can help:

• Reduce vehicle journeys
• Cut fuel use
• Lower carbon emissions
• Free up cleansing crews for other work
• Improve street cleanliness during busy periods

The enclosed design also helps prevent wind-blown litter and reduces problems caused by birds or pests accessing waste.

Wider Review of Belfast’s Litter Bin Infrastructure

The SMART bin roll-out is part of a wider review of Belfast’s litter bin infrastructure.

The council is also carrying out a condition survey of more than 3,000 bins across the city. This will help shape a long-term replacement and maintenance programme.

More information is available on Belfast City Council’s street cleaning pages:
Visit Belfast City Council cleansing services