Facts About Automated Refuge and Recycling – 9/15/2010

Posted by Bob on September 15, 2010 under Daily Blogs | Read the First Comment

The Borough’s Department of Public Works (“DPW”) is in the process of changing to automated refuse and recycling  system for certain areas of town beginning later this fall.  The change is a significant undertaking that will undoubtedly result in many questions as to how the new system will effect residents.  The following attempts to answer some common questions we have heard and are likely to hear in the coming weeks.

What is automated refuse and recycling?

Automated sanitation involves vehicles equipped with electronic arms that lift uniform containers into the collection area of the truck.  In locations that make such a system logistically difficult, lifters are added to vehicles that require a worker to wheel the container onto the lifter, which is then automatically dumped into the collection area.

Why would a municipality switch to automated refuse and recycling?

Most municipal departments have or are in the process of switching to an automated system.  Private companies, many of whom have contracts to collect for municipalities, have been using automated systems for years.  Some of the benefits are as follows:

• Long-term savings associated with decreased staffing costs;
• Reduction in workers compensation claims;
• Single-stream recycling;
• Increased recycling which generates revenue for a municipality; and
• Decreased regular refuse or municipal solid waste (hereinafter “MSW”) collection which costs a municipality in terms of tipping fees.

Where did the Borough get the funds for the initial investment?

The bulk of the initial capital costs required for the change to automated collection came from a amounts paid to the Borough from the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority (“CRRA”) resulting from the Enron settlement.  The Borough received approximately SEVEN HUNDRED NINETY TWO THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY ONE ($792,281.00) DOLLARS through said settlement.  Additional funds in an approximate amount of EIGHT SEVEN THOUSAND and 00/100THS ($87,000.00) DOLLARS were added from a energy block grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (“ARRA”).  This funding has been allocated toward the purchase of an automated refuse truck, and automated recycling truck and approximately two thousand seven hundred fifty (2,750) containers needed to begin implementation.  A fiscal analysis presented to the Joint Boards of Finance and Mayor and Burgesses last winter can be viewed here.

How will the change effect the average resident?

Each resident whose street is scheduled for automated MSW and recycling will be given two (2) ninety six (96) gallon containers that have attached lids and wheels.  One (1) container will be for MSW; the other for recycling.  The containers will be delivered to the residents home with instructions.   Recycling containers will allow residents to place all recyclable items into the bin without separation.   On the respective collection days, residents will need to wheel the containers to the side of the road.

What is single stream recycling?

Single stream recycling allows residents to include all recyclable items together in one (1) container with no requirement to group separately or bind similar items together.  Such items that can be included in the recycling container include but are not limited to the followings:

• glass and metal food and beverage containers;
• plastic bottles;
• newspapers;
• cardboard (unstained);
• magazines;
• junk mail office paper;
• empty aerosol cans and empty boxes (unstained).

For more information, please see the public works recycling notice on the Borough’s website here.  The amount of items that can be recycled reduce overall trash or MSW.

How much does a ninety-six (96) gallon container hold?

The regular MSW bin that will be provided holds the equivalent of approximately three (3) standard size garbage cans.  Discarded items will be required to be placed in garbage bags of the residents choosing.

Will the containers be too big and/or heavy to move?

While the containers are significantly larger than the average garbage container, all containers have wheels, lids and handles that makes transport relatively easy.  In addition, there will no longer be a need for recycling bins that are difficult to carry when heavy.

Which streets will be included?

The public works department is still compiling a list of streets which will be included in the first (1st) phase of implementation.  There are certain streets in the Borough that may never switch to the automated system due to logistical and/or geographical limitations.  It is likely that the streets most convenient to the automated system will be included initially.  Streets with significant on-street parking will require use of the lifters and a worker to place the containers on the lifter.

What if I have more regular trash that will not fit in the refuse container?

We realize that occasionally residents have an increase in a particular weeks trash/MSW volume for a variety of reasons.  Residents will be able to purchase additional bags at a local vendor for TWO and 50/100THS ($2.50) DOLLARS per bag that will be manually collected when placed next to the regular container.

Can I get additional containers?

Residents can purchase an additional MSW container at the Borough’s cost (approximately $80.00).  The annual cost to collect a second (2nd) MSW container is scheduled to be ONE HUNDRED FIFTY and 00/100THS ($150.00) DOLLARS.

What will prevent theft of containers?

All containers will be bar-coded and will be identifiable with the residence to which they are distributed.  In addition, trucks will be equipped with video cameras.

What will happen if containers are not collected resulting from the Borough’s error?

The DPW will return and collect the container at no cost to the resident.

What will happen if containers are not collected resulting from an error by the resident?

The DPW will return to collect the container but a charge of TEN and 00/100THS ($10.00) DOLLARS will be assessed to the resident which must be paid before the next scheduled collection.

What are some reasons that trash and/or recyclables would not be collected?

• Carts and/or authorized bags are not used;
• Containers not placed in the appropriate collection spot;
• Recyclable items are not separated from regular MSW;
• Hazardous and/or unauthorized materials placed in MSW or recycling container;
• Carts not placed for collection on time.

This is a very new system.  How will the DPW enforce the requirements will all this change?

Very leniently in the beginning.  We realize that automated MSW and recycling represents a significant change from our long policy of manual collection.  There will be an adjustment period where procedures will need to be refined, issues resolved and public awareness increased.  Because the long-term benefits outweigh the inconvenience of change, the DPW will act reasonably with regard to implementation.

Will the change to an automated system increase blight?

While we will still battle blight for a variety of reasons, the change to automation is not expected to contribute to this problem.  Many claimed that the elimination of bulk trash collection years ago would cause more dumping.  Evidence throughout the years does not support the assertion that there has been any significant increase in bulk trash dumping.

Why does Naugatuck have to change?

No one is mandating the Naugatuck implement automated collection.  The change to automated MSW and recycling is meant to increase efficiency and productivity, reduce cost and improve procedures in accordance with industry practices.  Collecting trash strictly using human resources is costly and causes injury.  Employees collecting MSW and recycling are not able to perform other needed, public works tasks.  It is expected that the initial change to automation will eventually reduce the sanitation staff on three (3) vehicles from nine (9) full time employees (“FTE’s”) to six and one half (6 1/2) FTE’s.  Almost no haulers in the private sector rely solely on human collection.  Most municipalities have either switched to automation, are in the process of doing so or strongly considering such a change.  The reality is that trash or MSW, costs municipalities money.  By recycling all the items that can be recycled, that cost is not only reduced; but the Borough makes money through recycled items.

Will there be layoffs associated with the change to automation?

No.  The Borough has reached an agreement with the Public Works collective bargaining unit that no existing employees will lose their jobs as a result of the change.  Employees not assigned to sanitation will be reassigned to other public works tasks.  Any elimination of positions will only happen through attrition as existing employees retire.

Why are elected and/or appointed Borough officials making this change without some experience with the system?

They are not.  Most of the Burgesses and Finance Board members have had the opportunity to sample the recycling containers at their residents.  Despite some apprehension, reaction has been overwhelmingly positive.  Most were amazed at how much more items can be recycled without much effort.

What will I do with my old garbage cans and recycle bins?

The Borough will collect old garbage cans and recycle bins without charge to residents.