TOMROBOTS Hosts UK Client Mr. Chris Walsh for Solar Bin & RVM Product Review

On the morning of 19 October 2026, TOMROBOTS welcomed Mr. Chris Walsh from the United Kingdom to our facility in Guangzhou. The purpose of his visit was clearly defined: Mr. Walsh came primarily to review our solar-powered compacting bins, and he used the same visit to take a look at our reverse vending machines (RVMs) as well. After seeing the equipment first-hand, he expressed interest in the products. For anyone considering similar technology, this post gives a short account of what such a visit covers and why solar bins are drawing attention from UK buyers.

Who we are

For readers meeting TOMROBOTS for the first time, a brief introduction. TOMROBOTS is the brand of Guangzhou Leesche Electronic Technology Co., Ltd., a Guangzhou-based manufacturer specializing in two product families: solar-powered waste compacting bins and reverse vending machines. We apply IoT technology to environmental equipment, which means our products are designed to work as connected devices rather than standalone bins. Each unit can report its own status — fill level, battery condition, faults — through a cloud platform, so an operator managing several sites sees everything on a single screen.

Our equipment is used in markets across Europe, Southeast Asia and beyond, including countries that operate deposit return schemes, and our RVM range has been developed with those markets in mind. The company has built up experience in export projects over the years, covering certification, shipping and the documentation that overseas buyers need, which is a practical part of why customers visit us before placing orders.

Why solar bins are attracting UK attention

Interest in solar-powered compacting bins is easy to explain. A conventional public bin fills up quickly and is emptied on a fixed schedule, whether it is full or not. A compacting bin presses waste down as it is deposited, so it holds considerably more between collections. A solar-powered version does this without requiring a mains power connection at the site, which makes it practical for locations where running a cable would be difficult, costly or simply not possible.

The UK context adds to the appeal. Local authorities and waste operators are under continuous pressure to control collection costs and reduce the carbon footprint of their fleets. Every bin that can go longer between collections means fewer truck movements, lower fuel use and less disruption to traffic. The savings matter most at high-traffic locations — town centres, parks, beaches, transport hubs and tourist areas — where bins often overflow at peak times and require extra visits.

At the same time, packaging regulation is tightening. Under the UK's extended producer responsibility rules for packaging, producers now pay fees that help fund the collection and recycling of packaging waste, and a deposit return scheme for drinks containers is scheduled to be introduced in the coming years. These changes are prompting councils, retailers, venues and facility managers to look more carefully at how collection points are equipped. Solar bins fit naturally into that conversation, because they address cost, convenience and carbon in a single product.

Beyond day-to-day savings, solar bins also fit the direction of public policy. Many councils publish carbon-reduction plans, and equipment that lowers collection frequency and runs on renewable energy supports those commitments in a measurable way. For private operators bidding on waste contracts, the same argument applies: a solution that cuts running costs while supporting sustainability targets is easier to justify to clients and to the public.

What the solar bin is and how it works

During the visit, Mr. Walsh was shown how the solar bin works end to end. On top of the bin sits a solar panel that charges an internal battery — a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) system on our larger models — so the unit can run independently of the grid. Inside, a compaction mechanism presses waste down each time waste is deposited, and the compacted load is stored until the bin is emptied. The IoT module monitors the unit and reports fill level and battery status remotely, so collections can be planned on actual usage rather than guesswork.

We walked through the range, from smaller bins suited to pedestrian areas and parks to larger units of up to 1,100 litres designed for streets, car parks and other high-volume locations. The conversation covered the practical points that matter to operators: how much daylight the panel needs in different seasons, how the unit behaves in rain and wind, how long the battery supports operation through long overcast periods, and how the compaction mechanism is protected against jams. These are exactly the questions we expect from a buyer who is evaluating equipment for real deployment rather than on paper.

Maintenance was another topic. A bin sitting in a public space is only useful if it can be serviced simply, so we discussed the design choices that keep day-to-day upkeep low: sealed electronic compartments, tool-free access to key parts, and a battery system designed for years of maintenance-free operation in normal use. For a local authority or a facilities team with limited staff, the time and cost of maintenance are product features in their own right.

A morning of hands-on review

The visit itself was practical. Mr. Walsh toured our workshop, where the bins and RVMs are assembled, and saw the units in operation. He was particularly interested in the compaction sequence — how the mechanism is triggered, how it senses when the bin is full, and what happens when the waste includes bulky or awkward items. We also demonstrated the monitoring platform, showing how fill levels and alerts appear for an operator managing several units at once.

The reverse vending machine was the second item on the agenda. Our RVM accepts empty PET bottles and aluminium cans, identifies each item through barcode scanning combined with sensor-based detection, compresses the container and stores it internally. The user receives a deposit refund, points or a simple confirmation on the touchscreen, depending on how the operator has configured the machine. Like the solar bin, the RVM connects to the cloud, so operators can see collection volumes, device status and alerts in real time. For markets operating deposit return schemes, the machine is designed to connect to the refund value of each container, and the unit is built to run in unattended public locations.

Mr. Walsh's main interest remained the solar bin, but he took the time to understand both product lines and how they could work together at a single site — a collection point that accepts recyclables through an RVM while general waste is handled by a compacting, solar-powered bin. That combination is something several of our customers are moving toward, and it made for a useful discussion about how the two products share the same management platform.

Discussion and next steps

The second half of the morning was spent on the questions that decide whether a first visit turns into a project. We discussed customization — bin size, colours, branding and the language of the user interface — and the documentation and compliance material we provide for overseas customers. We also covered the practical side of working with a Chinese manufacturer: lead times, shipping, customs documentation, spare parts and after-sales support, including remote assistance and training for local service teams.

We also explained how a typical engagement develops from this point: a formal quotation based on the configuration agreed, technical drawings and installation guidance, then production, quality inspection and shipping, with the monitoring platform set up and tested together with the customer before the units are dispatched. For customers evaluating the technology for the first time, a trial unit is often the most practical next step, and we are able to support that as well.

No commitments were made during the visit, and that is normal for a first meeting of this kind. The purpose was for Mr. Walsh to see the equipment, ask questions and form his own view. By the end of the morning he had expressed interest in the products, and we are now preparing the information he asked for: detailed specifications, configuration options and indicative pricing. Whether this leads to an order, a trial unit or a longer evaluation, the visit gave both sides a clear basis for the next conversation.

Looking ahead

A first visit like this one is a small but important step. For us, it is a chance to show our equipment to someone who understands the local market and can judge whether it will work there. For the visitor, it is a chance to see, touch and test a product before committing to anything. We are grateful to Mr. Walsh for taking the time to come to Guangzhou, and we look forward to supporting his evaluation.

If you are considering solar bins, reverse vending machines or both for your own site, you are welcome to get in touch. We are happy to share specifications, arrange a call with our engineers, or — if you are able to visit — show you the equipment in person. There is no substitute for seeing a machine run.