Downtown Debuts Solar-Powered Compactor

NORTH ADAMS - Main Street visitors may have noticed the solar-powered trash compactor that suddenly appeared downtown this week but most probably don't know where it came from or how it works.

Donated by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, the compactor - a simple black machine about the size of a mailbox - is a product of Needham-based BigBelly Solar, who specializes in manufacturing the world's only solar-powered cordless compaction system.

Emily Dahl, a public information officer at MTC, said the state agency offered more than a dozen free compactors to municipalities throughout the state who expressed an interest in trying them out.

"They can be used to familiarize the public with how renewable energy, especially solar, can be used," said Dahl.

The compactor, the only one donated to a community in Berkshire County through this pilot program, holds up to five times the volume of ordinary trash receptacles and up to 150 gallons of trash, according to information provided by BigBelly. A solar panel on the compactor’s top powers the machine 100 percent, even without direct sunlight.

There are hundreds of compactors throughout the country, on campuses, in parks and at beaches, on city streets and at Fenway Park. With over 40 distributors nationwide, BigBelly can help significantly cut down on greenhouse gas emissions because fewer trips need to be made to dispose of the waste inside.

The Bigbelly reduces waste collection frequency, lowers costs and can pay for itself in as little as 1.5 years.

Vermont National Guard Members Depart From North Adams

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
04:20PM / Friday, June 05, 2026

About 50 people waved flags to the see the Guardsmen off on their bus. The members were staying in North Adams because of a lack of hotel rooms in Bennington, Vt.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Residents came together Friday to see some Vermont National Guard members off.

 

The American Legion Riders organized a send off for a group of 75 or so Guard members who were staying at Hotel Downstreet.

 

"We are going to escort them to the Bennington Armory," Riders President Mike Lewis said. "They are going to gear up there, and then I am not sure where they are going. I don’t even know if they are all going to the same place."

 

Fifty or so people met in the Hotel Downstreet parking lot to show their appreciation. They waved flags and held signs. A bagpiper was also present.

 

The Riders contacted the Fire Department who helped organize the send off. North Adams Police cruisers and Northern Berkshire EMS were also on site to help see the bus off.

 

Lewis said there was not enough rooms in Bennington for the National Guard members. He added because of the trend to use vacant hotel rooms as low-income housing, the group had to look toward North Adams.

 

It's not clear where these Guard were off to, but about 500 members of 3-172 Infantry Battalion were expected to go to the Middle East with U.S. Central Command. According to Vermont Digger, this deployment was scheduled prior to the strikes on Iran.