Prairie du Chien begins ‘automated’ garbage and recycling collection program
The new recycling toters were assembled last week, in preparation for the beginning of recycling using them Monday, May 1. Recycling is now every two weeks and materials can be mixed and unsorted when placed in the bin. For more information, contact Town and Country Sanitation at (608) 375-5856, (800) 626-1915 or kristis@tcsanitation.com, or City Hall at 326-6406.
Editor's note: This article first appeared in the Monday, April 10 issue of the Courier Press, on page 8. It is being shared on our website due to the large number of questions regarding the new recycling system.
The city of Prairie du Chien, in conjunction with the city’s contractor, Town and Country Sanitation, began the new one-pass automated collection for refuse and recycling Monday, May 1. As part of the program, city residents received recycling toters over the past few weeks. These toters are lidded, wheeled containers similar to the containers now used for refuse. Recycling will now be collected once every two weeks.
“Although the city is moving to recycling every two weeks, I believe there will be an increase in the amount of recycling because of the size of the toter, the fact that recyclables will be able to be mixed in the recycling toter without sorting or bundling, and that the toter has a lid to keep recyclables from getting wet or blowing away,” Mayor Dave Hemmer said.
“The automated part of the system is really exciting,” explained Doug Enke, of Town and Country Sanitation. “The trucks are equipped with an arm operated from inside the cab of the truck. The arm reaches out, grabs the toter, and empties it into the truck, whether it is recyclables or garbage being collected. This increases the efficiency of collection, reduces recyclables or refuse blowing around or escaping from the truck, and improves the safety of our drivers.”
The city will continue to collect the wide range of recyclables currently collected including aluminum containers; corrugated paper and other container board; glass containers; magazines; newspaper; office paper; rigid plastic containers, including those made of PETE, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, PS and other resins or multiple resins; steel containers; and bi-metal containers. These are to be put into the recycling toter and do not need to be sorted or bundled separately.
“Improved sorting technology at the recycling plants allows us to collect mixed recyclables while maintaining quality standards meaning less hassles for the residents in recycling the maximum amount,” Enke said. Because of the larger container size, this process is also designed to make the task of recycling easier and cleaner for residents, which will help with the city’s efforts by recycling more items rather than adding them to landfills.
Correct placement of the wheeled garbage and recycling toters is very important so that the automated arm can reach the toters and once emptied return them to the curb. Please place the toters at lease three feet from fixed objects like mailboxes, streets, streetlights or parked vehicles and with a two- to three-foot gap between toters. Place the toters on a level surface if possible, with the lids substantially closed, within one foot of the curb, and with the arrows on the lids pointing out toward the alley or street. Toters need to be placed out by 6 a.m., on the day of collection. Please remove the toters from streets and alleys once they have been emptied.
“Prairie du Chien residents have been great recyclers and I am confident they will embrace the efficiency and effectiveness of the new collection system to recycle even more,” Hemmer added. “I ask residents be patient as Town and Country delivers the new toters and as the new program gets up and running.”
For more information about Prairie du Chien refuse and recycling collection, contact Town and Country Sanitation by calling (608) 375-5856 or (800) 626-1915 or email kristis@tcsanitation.com. Feel free to also contact City Hall with your questions at 326-6406.
