Solar powered recycling and trash units to help St. Augustine stay clean

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — It's not Thanksgiving yet but Christmas is already in the air in St. Augustine.

As holiday decorations take over for Nights of Lights, city manager John Regan took us for a walk to show us how the ancient city is putting its best foot forward.

"We've started working on improving some lighting downtown and we've got a couple businesses that are helping us place some new lights," he said.

TRENDING STORIES:

Truck crashes on Jacksonville's Northside; Neighbor says driver took off 

Impeachment inquiry: Fiona Hill, David Holmes testify; live updates, livestream 

The city will also have two crews steam and pressure-washing the streets every night.

Just this week, the city installed 10 pairs of solar recycling and trash units in strategic areas like trolley stops.

"The trash side has a trash compactor in it so it has six to eight times the capacity as a regular trash can," said utility director Todd Grant.

Each pair cost the city $6,000.

Grant said that while pricey, it'll help them be more efficient and save in overtime.

STAY UPDATED: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories

"Right now, our conventional trashcans we have to go every day and see them twice a day," said Grant.

Now workers can go on their phones to see if the bins need to be emptied.

Regan said they're expecting about 6,000 people in the Plaza de la Constitución tomorrow night for the official Night of Lights launch.

"The whole city lights up and we start the holiday season," said Regan.

Cox Media Group