New Automated Refuse Collection Trucks

The new automated refuse collection trucks will be on their way soon. After the new bins are distributed city-wide, the City will roll out its fleet of new automated refuse collection trucks.

We're switching to automated refuse collection to save taxpayer dollars and reduce our impact on the environment (through increased recycling and fleet reduction). Its part of the City's Green Refuse and Recycling Initiative.

This month, all households will be given a special heavy-duty 96 gallon (larger than three regular trash bins) wheeled trash container to put their weekly trash into. The special containers will be picked up by City of Lakewood automated refuse trucks.

The new trucks trucks require less labor and fuel than the current system. The containers will be dumped into the trucks using a hydraulic lifting system. This will significantly reduce worker injuries and increase efficiency of Refuse Department employees. Refuse collection will still be done by City of Lakewood employees, not contractors.

More information is available here (pdf) and here (web).