I just finished a project for a client involving research into the New England venture capital sector to identify potential business leads among their portfolio start ups. As I worked my way through it, I was impressed by the extent of capital allocation moving toward the sector of what they collectively call 'Clean Tech'.
This surely bodes well. It should be noted that VC's allocate their own money, unlike investment banks and more frequently come from the sectors they now support. A lot of them seem to come from engineering back grounds and a common aspect of their group photo site visuals is they don't wear ties.
Good old Big Belly, a local enterprise, is one of their picks and is becoming increasingly ubiquitous in cities.
The BigBelly® Solar Compactor is a patented compacting trash receptacle that is completely self-powered. Instead of requiring a grid connection, BigBelly uses solar power for 100% of its energy needs. The unit takes up as much space as the "footprint" of an ordinary receptacle—but its capacity is five times greater. Increased capacity reduces collection trips and can cut fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions by 80%. BigBelly also provides cost efficiencies from labor savings, fuel cost and maintenance savings, as well as environmental benefits from reduced emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. Safe, easy to use, and designed to keep out pests, the BigBelly has already proven its worth in urban streets, parks, colleges, arenas—and in all weather conditions.
