DeKalb Enters Third Phase of Deployment for Automated Side Loader Sanitation Trucks

The third phase of DeKalb County’s deployment of automated side loader (ASL) collection trucks begins Oct. 26, 2020. Phases one and two featured the deployment of 39 ASL trucks within select DeKalb communities, as well as the recruitment and training of a full complement of refuse driver collectors tasked with operating ASL trucks.

During this third phase, 43,000 households on select residential ASL garbage service routes will be issued a larger capacity 95-gallon garbage roll cart in exchange for their existing 65-gallon garbage roll cart. The 65-gallon roll cart issued to residents in 2015 is inadequate to meet the needs of many households, and leads to overflowing garbage bins, excess garbage at the curb, and slower collection.

The 95-gallon roll cart decreases excess curbside garbage, and allows for garbage route optimization; improved curbside collection efficiency and serviceability; decreased labor, fuel and operating costs; and reduced employee workplace injuries using ASL trucks. This approach enhances the Sanitation Division’s ability to successfully serve its ever-increasing customer base.

Households with 95-gallon garbage roll carts must follow the Sanitation Division’s new curbside preparation and collection procedures requiring the placement of all household garbage in secure, durable plastic bags and inside the roll carts. Excess curbside garbage is not permitted for households with 95-gallon garbage roll carts.

While all customers will receive the 95-gallon roll cart, special consideration is given to customers with medical conditions, disabilities, or other special circumstances that make handling the larger cart a challenge. Residents who believe their circumstances qualify for special consideration should apply for back-door service. As a part of this service, DeKalb’s collection teams retrieve the roll cart from an approved location, empty the container and return it. Residents can apply for this service by clicking the “Service for Disabled Residents” graphic at www.dekalbsanitation.com.

This curbside exchange project will occur over eight weeks on residents’ scheduled collection day, shortly after residents’ garbage collection has been completed by Sanitation Division field collection teams.

To determine if a household will receive a 95-gallon garbage roll cart during this project, residents can visit www.dekalbsanitation.com, click on the homepage graphic referencing the curbside roll cart exchange project address verification, and follow the instructions provided.

This $1.9 million phase three investment was proposed by DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond in the Fiscal Year 2020 budget, which was unanimously approved by the Board of Commissioners.

For more information, contact the Sanitation Division’s customer service team at 404-294-2900 or sanitation@dekalbcountyga.gov, visit www.dekalbsanitation.com, or follow @DKalbSanitation on Twitter.