The Town of West Hartford’s new trash receptacles keeps most of the trash below ground, providing multiple advantages.

The new in-ground trash containers have been installed at 22 locations in West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

By Ted Newton

With an eye toward innovation and efficiency, West Hartford is deploying new sub-terrain trash receptacles in town parks and other selected locations. They provide several advantages over the town’s current public trash cans.

Most of the trash storage in the new receptacles is actually underground, and the flap in the opening at the top keeps animals, insects, and other scavenger out and trash odors in. The underground containers are also much larger than traditional trash cans, so they do not need to be emptied as often, saving on labor costs.

“The sub-terrain waste receptacles are great,” said Director of Public Works John Phillips. “They look nice and are respectful of the purpose they serve. And they seem to be resistant to critters, large and small. I personally feel they have potential to be a game changer.” He believes West Hartford is one of the first towns in the state to introduce them.

The new in-ground trash containers have been installed at 22 locations in West Hartford. Photo courtesy of John Phillips

Phillips tries to look for new ways to do things that can benefit the town, referring as an example to the Big Belly trash cans installed several years ago in Blue Back Square to address the problem of overflowing trash cans on the weekend.

The new receptacles, which won’t be replacing the Big Belly trash cans, wil be in parks and other public spaces. The in-ground trash cans, manufactured by Canadian-based Sybertech Waste Reduction Ltd., need to be emptied at most once a week instead of three or four times a week, which saves on labor costs.

Graphic showing the Sybertech trash can system. Screenshot from swrl.com

Also, because the containers are animal-resistant, there should be less litter in our public spaces. Phillips noted that raccoons, squirrels and birds – not people – are responsible for most of the litter close by.

The new receptacles also present a better work environment for Public Works employees. The flap keeps the container relatively airtight, which means less trash breakdown and odor. Further, a small crane is used to extract the waste container instead of a person manually removing trash bags, which can break apart during handling.

The new in-ground trash containers have been installed at 22 locations in West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Twenty-two new receptacles have been installed to date. Most are in the town’s popular parks, with some at some trailheads for the Trout Brook Trail, including Norfeldt Field and Duffield Road. Three more are coming to the baseball fields on the former UConn property at 1700 Asylum Avenue.

Public Works plans to install another 20 of the new receptacles in spring 2027.

The new in-ground trash containers have been installed at 22 locations in West Hartford. Photo courtesy of John Phillips

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.