Mason City is rolling out new garbage and recycling carts with automated collection for residential customers. Sanitation staff will use garbage trucks with automated arms to lift and empty the carts without leaving the cab. City officials say the automated collection is more efficient and safer for employees, reducing the risk of work-related injuries.
The familiar blue recycling bins and garbage cans will be replaced by new rolling carts. The cart with the yellow lid is for recycling and the one with the black lid is for garbage. Starting the week of July 6, all city sanitation customers must use the provided rolling carts for garbage and recycling collection. Recycling items can be mixed together in the yellow-lid cart with no need to separate.
Customers should place bagged trash into the cart and roll it to the proper pickup location on collection day. All carts need to be placed at the curb on the street side of the address. Carts must be placed at the edge of the curb, at the end of the driveway or where the property meets the road, making sure the cart is not on the street. The arrows on each cart’s lid should point toward the street, with the handle facing the property.