this post was submitted on 23 Mar 2026
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Mildly Interesting

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[–] Krelis_@sh.itjust.works 58 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (4 children)

If I'm honest if it's only illumination, that doesn't seem like the most efficient use of resources and energy (to build and eventually dispose of these electronics) in a populated area that's likely to have adequate street lighting.

that said it looks like a pretty neat waste separation design

[–] 667@lemmy.radio 16 points 2 days ago (2 children)

There is a possibility this panel feeds into a larger solar collection system, and is a clever use of a distributed solar surface.

[–] anomnom@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 day ago

Or that there is an electric compactor in there

We have those in US cities one company that makes them is BigBelly.

Most of the solar powered electronics are for compacting trash, and then alerting the collectors when they are full. I’ve never seen a lit bin, but it’s a nice touch.

[–] Slab_Bulkhead@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago

which one dispenses the gutter oil? /s

[–] BeMoreCareful@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago

I think they've got a lot of that basic electronics manufacturing down to the point where it's a "why not."

Sort of like throwing a coat of paint on it.

[–] zr0@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 2 days ago

Agree. However I like the idea of marking bins with a colored LED light, which is visible from all sides. Would make it a lot easier to figure out where you can put your trash. And a couple of LED, coupled with a solar panel and some electronics is probably reasonable for the amount of people who would be motivated to walk those couple meters to throw away the trash.

[–] Soulphite@reddthat.com 1 points 2 days ago

Plot twist: It all feeds into one single bin.

[–] noughtnaut@lemmy.world 24 points 2 days ago (1 children)

The solar powered bins in Denmark aren't lighted, but they have built-in trash compactors so they don't need to be emptied as often.

[–] ShinkanTrain@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 day ago

I'm guessing this is also the case in the image. Adding LEDs seems trivial after adding a solar panel and a trash compactor

[–] NachBarcelona@piefed.social 8 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Ah yes, the monolithic entity that is China.

[–] Ephera@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 day ago

Yeah, when something like that is posted about my country, it's usually just in one specific town and quite likely a pilot project, too...

[–] Retail4068@lemmy.world 11 points 2 days ago (2 children)

It almost definitely connects to the power grid and is just a clever place to put them.

[–] carrylex@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago* (last edited 19 hours ago)

I love how in the last picture there is a street light right next to it...

[–] _deleted_@aussie.zone 8 points 2 days ago (1 children)

If only my girlfriend … oh, never mind.

[–] Diplomjodler3@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Did you just call your girlfriend a trash can?

[–] _deleted_@aussie.zone 6 points 2 days ago (2 children)

If only my girlfriend could illuminate her holes at night.

[–] Diplomjodler3@lemmy.world 5 points 2 days ago

An Arduino and some LEDs should do the trick.

[–] Honytawk@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 1 day ago

You'll need an upgrade to the Mk2 version, but those lights are a subscription service.

Aren't the streets light enough? 🤨

[–] BagOfHeavyStones@piefed.social 5 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

The round hole looks a bit hard on the knees.

Has anyone ever seen a public garbage bin in a place that wasn't already well-lit? I haven't.

[–] lechekaflan@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

Producing LEDs there are so cheap that they do have been used for even the most ludicrous applications, such as fingertip lights, solar-powered road cateyes, and of course, illuminating trashcans.

[–] HubertManne@piefed.social 1 points 1 day ago

In the us they only provide first order holes for the public.

[–] ShinkanTrain@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 day ago

That wouldn't last a week here, our crackheads are powerful.

I think I worked out what can go in left and right holes. Is the middle a handle for opening unit?

[–] TimeNaan@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago

It looks cool but kind of pointless. At least it doesn't waste energy, only resources required for manufacture I guess 🤷‍♂️

[–] nightofmichelinstars@sopuli.xyz 1 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

They look pretty different. How many versions are there?

[–] Maxxie@piefed.blahaj.zone 1 points 2 days ago

You gotta admit, that's a sick looking trash can

[–] urandom@lemmy.world 0 points 2 days ago

That’s rather wasteful. There’s no sunlight at night