BigBelly program launched on Earth Day 2014. L-R: Ernie McNeely, Borough Manager; Dan Price, West Chester BID Program Manager; Mark Yoder, Greater West Chester Chamber Executive Director; West Chester Mayor Carolyn Comitta; Meghan Fogarty, West Chester Public Works; Chester County Commissioner Terence Farrell; Fred Gusz, West Chester BID Clean & Green advocate; Malcolm Johnstone West Chester BID Executive Director.

April 23, 2014 | Malcolm Johnstone

The Borough will soon be replacing trash cans in the downtown area with 71 new, solar powered BigBellys provided by Advanced Enviro Systems. In a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 22, 2014, the BigBelly program was launched.

The new trash collection system will:

• Provide recycling capability

• Eliminate waste overflow

• increase waste capacity by compacting trash

BigBellys are also smart — they wirelessly let West Chester Public Works know when the cans are ready to be empty for trash pick-up only when necessary.

In short, BigBellys will provide for a cleaner downtown with savings to the Borough.

Developing the BigBelly program began in 2010 by the West Chester BID in partnership with the West Chester Public Works. The program is funded with $293,000 by the Chester County Department of Community Develoment and $73,250 by the Borough of West Chester. However, overall costs will be reduced in the long run with the increased efficiency of the product.