Photo credit and article by Gabriella Dragone | August 21, 2025
PATERSON, NJ – City officials unveiled a new wave of smart trash compactors Tuesday, marking the second phase of Paterson’s investment in high-tech public waste infrastructure. Funded through the city’s Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ), 55 new solar-powered waste bins from Bigbelly Waste Management have been installed across key business corridors.
“These receptacles help us achieve our goal of cleaner public spaces, especially in our commercial corridors,” Mayor Andre Sayegh said. “This is about smarter operations, environmental sustainability, and making the city more welcoming for residents and visitors alike.”
The new bins feature solar-powered compaction, real-time waste monitoring via sensors, sealed animal-proof design, and secure access to prevent tampering. The units are distributed across high-traffic areas such as 10th Avenue, Union Avenue, 21st Avenue, Downtown Main Street, and Broadway.
This latest deployment builds on a prior installation of 90 smart bins during the first phase of the initiative, using a different vendor. The newly installed 55 units were purchased from Bigbelly, a global leader in smart waste solutions based in Massachusetts, under a $264,000 contract awarded through a public bidding process.
“The initiative of Bigbelly goes beyond just picking up garbage,” Washington Vivero, Deputy Director of Economic Development said. “We want people—residents, visitors, and business owners—to see Paterson as a vibrant, revitalized city. These investments are about changing perceptions, supporting our commercial corridors, and building a cleaner, safer community.”
“It’s wonderful to see so many people with passion for Paterson, working to make the city better,” Jeff Satwicz, Vice President and Co-Founder of Bigbelly said. “We’re honored to be part of this initiative that not only supports cleaner streets, but contributes to improving parks, streetscapes, and the city’s overall appeal as a place people want to visit and enjoy.”
The shift to Bigbelly came after the city issued a request for bids for the second phase. Officials confirmed the company was the only qualified bidder and met the city’s criteria.
“They went through the proper bidding process and were the only one that qualified,” Dipto Roy, Director of the Paterson UEZ said. “Their product matched exactly what we were looking for, from design to functionality.”
Roy emphasized that the units are not replacing previous cans, but are part of a phased expansion to cover more of the city’s commercial zones. “We’re building on what we started,” he said. “And we do plan to continue adding units in the future.”
The goal of the program, city officials said, is to modernize waste management, cut emissions, and reduce street litter. The smart sensors alert Public Works staff when a bin is nearly full, optimizing collection schedules and reducing unnecessary fuel use and labor costs.
Deputy Director of Public Works Michael G. Jackson said the data the bins generate will help the city better allocate resources.
“This will enable us to structure the department better, to go to areas that need more help,” he said. “We’ll know who fills up faster. It’ll help more than just seeing the bins visually.”
The project was carried out through collaboration between the UEZ, the Department of Public Works, and Bigbelly staff. UEZ Project Coordinator Shurma Akther thanked her team, including Crystal Fazzinga, who designed the bins’ custom orange-and-blue branding.
Rodney Clara, Bigbelly’s regional sales manager, praised the city’s proactive involvement. “They really got into the bins—literally,” he said. “They opened them up, asked the right questions, made sure it all worked. It’s rare to see a team that committed.”
City officials say the new units are just one part of broader revitalization efforts, which include pocket park renovations, new streetscape designs, and continued investment in clean-and-safe initiatives.
“We’re finding creative ways to fund essential improvements without placing additional strain on the operating budget,” Sayegh said. “And we want residents to know—we’re doing our part. Now it’s your turn. Help keep Paterson clean. Use the bins. Because Paterson is picking up.”
