Decatur’s Purchasing a New Garbage Truck!
Decatur Metro | December 5, 2011
Based on Asst. City Manager David Junger’s description in his letter to City Manager Peggy Merriss (page 25 of city commission mtg materials), it should look something like the above. (Though I’m not sure that’s an Isuzu cab, it would LOOK similar)
According to the note, the city’s current GMC rear-loader “has operated beyond its useful life, becoming increasingly unreliable and expensive to operate and maintain.”
If approved, look for this baby moseying down your street next February.
Latest from Decaturish
That is one smokin’ hot ride! I sure would like to ride around on theback. (before they put any garbage in it)
It’s got that new garbage truck smell…
I’d be curious if/how this new garbage truck fits into the bigger goals of the COD — does it have significant fuel/emissions savings (relatively speaking, for a big truck); and does it have any operating differences (ability to travel smaller streets, more maneuverable, etc).
I think it would be replacing another small truck which Decatur has to navigate tight driveways and alleys. There are bigger one that roam the streets collecting from the little scooters. Being newer, it probably is more fuel efficient.
Oh yea, I forgot the little garbage scooters. I’ve liked those since I was a kid.
Too bad we don’t use side loaders. Those are awesome.
Are you thinking about the trucks that pick up the containers from the curb and dump them in the truck? If so, we would have to give up our backyard/driveway collections with the scooters and everyone would have to haul everything out to the curb.
wait a minute….do I not have to haul my trash to the curb??
If the scooter has a path to where your garbage can is, no.
Does my driveway count? This might be the best news ever if so.
Backyard garbage pickup is on my list of top 10 things to love about living in Decatur!
I had no idea! This is awesome news. I hate taking the trash to the curb (don’t really know why, but it is my least favorite thing to do).
You may have to catch the scooter driver the next few weeks to “coach” him and tell him where the cans are.
Read this too late…..they did not find my trash can today. I will move it so it is visible next week, but still up in the driveway if I am not quick enough to catch the scooter. At least we did not have much trash today.
If you have a fence or a tree, try putting a sign out to get their attention.
Call up Public Works ahead of time and let them know that you want rear-yard pickup. I’ve heard them suggest that to folks before.
And I forgot to mention, all the garbage cans would have to be the type which the trucks can unload, which would an expense to someone, probably the City.
What you guys are discussing is called automated collection. The long and short of it is you have either a side-loader with an automated arm or a modified front-loader (an arrangement in which a can that looks like a half-size Dumpster is attached to the front forks with the automated arm on that. Carts are emptied into the can and then when it is full it is lifted and dumped into the back). You must have the graspable wheeled carts to make use of this system. That and the small streets mean that it probably wouldn’t fly in many parts of the Decatur.
This is reason #34 why I’m glad I moved to Decatur. Replacing our one beat up garbage truck with a brand new shiny one is considered news and is well commented on.
It’s not “news” so much as just “somethin’ to talk about.”
Nubbs –Trash from rear or side yard. Recycling to the curb. (recylcling truck is much bigger)
My trash sometimes get torn into by something wild. I usually leave it on top of my car hood since I put it out night before.