More solar powered garbage cans on the horizon in St. Paul

By Jake Spitzack | Staff Writer | June 2026

This summer the City of St. Paul is expected to install more solar powered garbage cans across downtown that are capable of holding three times as much trash than traditional ones – 150 gallons – thanks to a self-compacting feature. This continues an effort that began last fall when the City spent nearly $500,000 to replace about 80 traditional concrete garbage cans. Each of the new receptacles is paired with a recycling bin, of which downtown had zero prior to the switch, however those aren’t self-compacting. The City is seeking funding to install the solar-powered bins at downtown parks this summer as well as in conjunction with construction projects later this year, replacing virtually all the neighborhood’s trash receptacles.

The solar-powered bins have a 10- to 15-year life expectancy, according to Sarah Haas, administrator of the City of St. Paul’s Garbage and Recycling program. “It’s harder to stuff random stuff in them. The other ones were open and were often graffitied and vandalized, and we’re experiencing less of that with these [new ones].” She also noted that the cold winter weather didn’t cause any issues with them.

The new garbage cans must be opened with a foot lever and therefore can’t be penetrated by strong winds, and they are less prone to being rifled through, reducing the chance of litter falling out. They also have sensors that notify the city when the receptacles are 60% full, which saves staff time monitoring them. Additionally, the receptacles have marketing wraps that can be swapped out to promote various businesses or recycling initiatives, or if vandalized with graffiti that can’t be removed. This summer, the city will also closely monitor other neighborhoods that can most benefit from the new bins. The University Avenue corridor is first on its radar. Haas said about 40% of the material they pick up is now recycling, a small but mighty step toward creating a greener city.

Notably, some of the former concrete garbage cans that had colorful mosaics are being converted into planters to be installed this summer along 5th street in front of Grand Casino Arena, thanks to a partnership between the Minnesota Wild, St. Paul Downtown Alliance and City of St. Paul.

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