City Goes to Automated Garbage Collection

By now, all households in Wauwatosa should have received a mailer describing changes coming soon in city garbage collection, with a number of important dates and things to know.

But just in case you put your flier aside or tossed it without giving it a good read, here's a review.

Collection of trash by new trucks with automated pickup arms will begin July 2, and the new system requires new carts (some households already have compatible carts if they were replaced in the past two years).

Unless you want to keep your old cart – which you may – it should be put out on the curb on June 4, regardless of whether that is your regular trash pickup day.

New carts are being distributed now, and they may be put to use immediately, even if the automated trucks aren't rolling yet. They are compatible with the rear lifts on the trucks now running.

If you keep your old cart, you may use it for anything you like except putting garbage on the curb. However, if you decide you want to use it for yard waste, you should label it as such in clear lettering at least 3 inches tall – and keep it back from the curb.

With a very few exceptions, residents' current pickup days will not change. But because the automated system is faster, your pickup could come earlier in the day than you're used to. Residents are asked to have the cart on the curb by 7 a.m.

Once automated pickup begins, your carts must be placed at the edge of the curb, driveway apron or alley with at least three feet of clearance around them, including between the garbage and recycling carts.

This is important because automation allows the trucks to be crewed by a single operator. It is far more efficient, but only so long as the operator can do his or her job with the auto-arm.

Public Works officials indicated that there might be a very brief period of grace for those who didn't get the memo on cart placement, but sooner than later the operator will simply bypass misplaced carts.

Another important thing to know is that no trash left outside the cart will be picked up – no piles, no boxes, no bags.

The flier implies that anyone may buy additional carts for $50 apiece, but Mike Kreiter, superintendent of operations, said that the will likely review such requests.

"There's no sense in having two half-filled carts on the curb," Kreiter said, "or in having a second cart because you aren't recycling. Recycling is the law, so you might get a note from the city" – rather than another cart.

If you have large, bulky items that won't fit in the cart, you can arrange for a special pickup, for a fee, by calling 414-471-8423 or emailing garbage@wauwatosa.net. There is a fee schedule for special pickups, including appliances, furniture, carpeting and construction materials.

In the event you have a one-time or occasional need for extra space, such as in the aftermath of a large party, you can call or email and request a special dispensation, Kreiter said. But you should first try to make your own accommodations, he said.

"Ask your neighbors if they have some extra space in their cart that week," he suggested. "Try that neighborly thing first."