Automated Refuse Collection

Automated Refuse Collection
  • Because city employees no longer must lift refuse containers, back injuries are virtually eliminated. Fully automated refuse trucks require only one driver/operator, instead of a driver and two sanitation workers. The other two workers can be used for other vital solid waste programs.
  • An integral part of the automated refuse collection system is all trash must be placed in specially designed containers. Because each container is the same type and color neighborhoods look significantly better on collection day.
  • The Big Blue containers are actually easier to use than many smaller containers. They will not easily tip over, will not blow away, do not have separate lids to get lost, have big wheels for easy rolling and hold the weekly trash of an average family of six, provided this family recycles.
  • The advantage to the larger size is the ability to still service the citizen on a weekly basis without having overflow of containers.
What You Need to Know
  • The most important thing to remember about automated refuse collection is all of your trash, other than recycling and/or bulk or brush, must be placed inside the Big Blue container to be collected. Any trash outside of the container cannot be loaded by the automated truck, and the driver/operator will not get out to pick up bags or piles of debris placed next to the container. You'll be surprised how much the Big Blue containers can hold. All items in the Big Blue containers need to be in a sealed bag. If you have large items not appropriate for the container (such as appliances, piles of branches, etc.), please refer to Bulk and Brush Collection.
  • The container must be placed within five feet of the street for the truck to reach it. To provide enough clearance for the mechanical arm, make sure each container is at least five feet away from parked vehicles, mailboxes, telephone poles, fire hydrants, overhead obstructions, bulk or brush piles, and recycling containers. If the driver/operator cannot safely reach your container, your trash will not be collected.
Automated Trash Collection
Automated Trash Truck
Automatic Truck Dumping Trash
  • Make sure your container is out for collection not earlier than 7 p.m. on the day before collection and not later than 7 a.m. on the day of collection. Remove the container as soon as possible after collection, but not later than 7 a.m. on the day following collection. Containers must be stored behind the principle building line.
  • Each city resident is provided 1 container free of charge. If you need additional containers, you can purchase them from the city for $63 each plus tax. The free container is the property of the city and is registered to your address. Do not take this container with you if you move. Any additional containers you purchase are your property.

Restricted Items

  • The city will not collect:
    • Acids
    • Asphalt
    • Automobile Parts
    • Brick
    • Caustics
    • Concrete
    • Dead Animals
    • Earth
    • Explosives
    • Fencing (of any kind)
    • Grease From Non-residential Establishments
    • Heavy Metal
    • Lumber
    • Manure
    • Other Dangerous Materials
    • Plate or Large Broken Glass
    • Poisons
    • Rock
    • Sheet Rock
    • Stone
    • Stumps
    • Swing Sets
    • Topsoil
    • Trees
  • Rubbish from:
    • Construction
    • Remodeling
    • Razing and Repair Operations on Houses
    • Commercial Buildings and Other Structures
  • Do not put any such material out for collection by the city. Trees, shrubbery or brush cut by contractors for a fee may not be put out for collection by the city; it is the responsibility of landscapers to remove this material.