By SALINA POST
The City of Salina is making preparations for a new automated trash collection service.
Under the new program, which is scheduled to begin July 19, city sanitation customers, including those whose trash is collected along the alleys, each will receive a new trash cart for free, according to information on the city's website. The new trash carts will be six gallons larger that the current green carts.
"The carts are designed to fit the new specialty side-loader trucks that use an automated arm controlled by the driver to lift and empty waste from the cart. These carts are also compatible with the City of Salina’s current trucks for our alley customers," the city noted.
Why the switch to automated collection?
Although the automated trash collection method will be new for the City of Salina, automated trash collection has been used in the United States since the 1970s, according to information on the city website.
The city explained that it was switching to the new service to "improve employee and public safety, reduce employee injuries, and keep monthly service fees low by improving our collection efficiency."
Selecting the number of carts needed
After July 19, items sitting outside the carts will no longer be collected, according to information from the city.
"If you regularly have a full trash cart, use a yard waste cart or set bags outside your trash cart, we recommend you request at least one additional cart," the city noted on its website.
The new trash collection service includes one 96-gallon cart for $17 per month. Each additional cart is $2 per month.
City sanitation customers soon will receive cart selection mailers containing information about the program. The mailers will allow customers to evaluate their waste cart needs and complete the cart selection process by choosing the number of waste carts for their household, the city noted.
Prior to June 18, customers will need to submit their selections by either returning their postcards or entering their information on the selection website. The selection website URL will be included in the mailer.
Delivery of the new carts
According to the city, the new carts will be delivered and the old carts removed during a two-week period beginning July 5.
"On your first regular collection day on or after July 5th, please set out all of your old, existing City of Salina trash and yard waste carts for removal by the contractor. If you received your new cart(s), but still have your old, existing trash and yard waste carts, please leave them out until they are emptied and removed. Please do not place any additional trash or yard waste in them once they’ve been emptied. They will be removed within the next few days. If you did not receive your new cart(s), then please store all your existing carts and set them all back out on your next normal collection day to be removed," the city noted.
For more information about the new trash collection service, please visit the city's Automated Trash Collection FAQ pdf.