Handling your trash

The new system is called “single-stream recycling and automated trash pick-up”.

You have two collection carts, one for trash and the other for recyclables.

Before putting trash into the trash cart (the one with the black lid), put the items into plastic bags and twist tie/seal each bag securely.

Do not over-fill the trash cart.

Do not let any bagged trash or other disposable items stick up out of cart.  The lid must fully close for automated pickup process to function smoothly.

What to do with over-flow items

If you have excess trash that will not fit into the trash cart, buy “overflow” 33 gallon plastic bags from the Franklin Department of Public Works.  These special bags can be left near the trash cart (at least 3 feet away) for pickup.

Except for excess trash placed in the overflow 33 gallon plastic bags on sale on the Franklin DPW, please do not leave any trash or disposable items outside of the trash cart.   Such items will not be collected.

Cart placement

There were some awkward moments last Friday as the collection vehicles made their first runs through Franklin neighborhoods.

At many homes, the two carts were placed too close together.   The mechanical pickup arm banged into the adjacent cart as it attempted to grab one cart.

Some carts were left too close to mail boxes and utility poles.  One time, low-hanging tree limbs impeded the functioning of the collection arm.

Here’s a video of the new collection system in operation in Franklin, Massachusetts:

Quoting from The Franklin DPW’s guide to the new collection system regarding cart placement:

“The collection vehicle’s lifting arm requires clearance: 3 feet on both sides, and 12 feet overhead. The cart should be no more than 3 feet away from the curb or road edge, and the arrows on the lid must be pointing toward the street. Please leave 3 feet between your recycling and trash container when placing them curbside.”

Guidelines for recycling

There is a lot of help provided on Franklin, MA’s website concerning how to maximize your recycling.

Below is an excerpt from the DPW’s recycling guidelines:

The new single-stream recycling and automated trash pick-up will take some getting used to.

But it is designed to help reduce trash collection costs for Franklin, Massachusetts and that will help us all!

Copyright ©2010 02038.com

Click to learn about the new trash pick-up system.

Containers coming June 14 – June 21

Trucks came though my neighborhood today, dropping off the new containers at each house.

Deliveries will continue through the week of June 21, 2010. 

All “eligible” residences will get the containers.  So I assume many condos and multi-family homes in Franklin with private collection will not participate in the new system. 

Two containers – black top and yellow top

You get two identical containers. 

Each has a 65-gallon capacity.  No overflow items left outside the containers will be picked up; there are 33 gallon overflow bags for sale at the Franklin DPW.

One container is for trash and has a black top. 

  The other container is for recyclables and has a yellow top.

Containers belong to town

The containers belong to the town but it looks like you are responsible for maintenance. 

Seemingly, loss or damage to the containers are the responsibility of each household.

Let’s hope this system increases recycling and saves the town money!

Copyright ©2010 02038.com

One container for trash, one for recyclables

Called “single-stream recycling and automated trash pick-up,” the service uses two separate automation-compatible “toters.”  One toter is for trash disposal only.  The other toter allows town residents to combine all recyclable materials (cans/bottles and paper/cardboard) into that one container.

Each Franklin home will get only one recycling toter and one trash disposal toter.  The two containers will the only ones allowed in the new program.

Automated trucks will do pick-up

A special truck with an automated arm designed for use with the toters will handle street-side pick-up. The arm seizes, lifts, empties and return the toters to the street curb.

Bulky items cost extra?

In other MA communities that have adopted single-stream automated trash pick-up, residents’ old trash barrels and recycling bins were allowed to be recycled via a special pickup or drop-off program implemented by the municipality.

Bulky items that do not fit into the disposal toter may be assessed an additional disposal fee ($25 in some other MA communities). 

This new program should save Franklin residents money and make recycling easier, so this is a change for the better!

(Note that the photos contained in this post do not represent the containers and the trucks that will be used in Franklin, MA’s program.)

Copyright ©2010 02038.com