Stillwater’s automated trash pickup system will convert trucks into dump trucks by attaching a mechanical arm to pick up trash carts. The program is active in four neighborhoods within Stillwater. The trucks will be similar to the OSU Physical Plant Services trucks, except the arm will be on the side of the truck, and it will lift 48 to 98 gallon carts.
The carts are being delivered and are waiting to be filled and picked up next week.
Stillwater is getting a little more advanced, even if it is just for trash pickup.
The city’s automated trash pickup service pilot program begins this week with the delivery of new poly carts.
The new program allows a specialty truck to use a mechanical arm to pick up and empty the carts, rather than workers having to empty cans by hand.
There are many benefits to the new program, said Ralph Kinder, public works director.
“The poly carts are a big improvement over what we have now,” Kinder said. “It’s much cleaner and more efficient. Trash doesn’t blow from the wind or doesn’t get scattered by animals because the carts have lids on them. It’s also easier to transport it down to the curb.”
Residents are supportive of the six-month pilot program.
Andrea Byrd lives in one of the four neighborhoods selected to participate in the new program.
“When I lived in Moore, we had a similar program where everyone in the city had a standard-sized cart,” Byrd said. “It makes it easier to roll the cart down the driveway.”
However, she said she wished the city provided more information about the program.
“I received a flier in the mail about the program allowing me to choose the cart size I wanted, but that’s it,” she said. “It would be nice to have more information about exactly when the carts are being delivered or when my new pick up day is.”
Kinder said meetings were held in each of the neighborhoods selected for the program. He also said residents in the program will go from having trash picked up twice a week to once a week.
Another change the city had to make was acquiring a new truck with a mechanical arm for the pilot program. The truck is being leased, even though it is more expensive than buying because the city didn’t want to commit to buying in case the program doesn’t work, said Dan Galloway, city manager.
The city also had to purchase the poly carts that must be used with the automated trucks. Residents were allowed to pick from a 48-, 64- or 96-gallon cart. A second cart could be ordered for an additional fee.
Although trash pickup has been reduced, Galloway said the 96-gallon cart should hold enough trash for a standard family for a week. He said other cities that have similar programs use the 96-gallon carts but if it’s not enough, arrangements can be made to get a second cart.
Galloway said the public has been supportive because they see the many benefits to the program.
“They see it as cleaner, easier, safer and more efficient, just like we do,” Galloway said. “But, I think people also see once we get that system set up, it will give us much more flexibility to start more recycling efforts.”
If the program works, curb side recycling pick up may be a future option.
The same type of equipment can be used for curb side recycling, but it is still a long-term goal, said Galloway.
Most importantly though, is the improvement in safety for sanitation workers. A lot of injuries occur in the field due to the strain that is put on the workers from having to lift trash cans all day, said Galloway.
There are also accidents involving the trucks. The automation of the program should reduce the number of accidents.
Kinder also said the labor savings opens up more possibilities because fewer men are needed on each truck.
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