Kitsap Transit says solar-powered trash compactors will pay for themselves in four years by reducing the fuel and labor costs of picking up garbage.

The compactors made by Big Belly Solar of Needham, Mass., cost $5,000 each.

By deciding to buy 10 of the compactors at Tuesday's board meeting, Kitsap Transit is following the county, which installed 80 compactors last spring at 14 parks.

The Kitsap Sun reports the high-tech trash cans will be installed at transit centers, park-and-ride lots and ferry docks.

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