Why the automated garbage truck skipped your can
If your neighborhood's trash collection crew uses an automated garbage truck, expect your bin to get left behind when there's no clearance space for the mechanical arm to grasp it. An open lid with overflowing trash can jam the truck's mechanics. The container's orientation matters since the handle should face the road, making it easier to maneuver.
Be mindful of where you park your vehicles before trash day: they can block the truck's access.
Waste production is expected to reach 4.5 billion tons each year by 2050, according to Council Fire. That means the market for automated trash collection continues to grow, and the technology behind it, from robotic arms to IoT sensors, is increasing its capability.
How Does an Automated Garbage Truck Work?
An automated garbage truck still has a human driver. This side loader has a robotic or hydraulically controlled arm that lifts from the truck's cab to:
- Reach out
- Grip
- Lift
- Invert your trash can into the hopper
The driver doesn't have to leave the vehicle for collection, since they use a joystick to operate the mechanical arm.
It's perfect for workers during harsh weather like winter storms. Through rain or snow, drivers can have cab protection, and trash can still be picked up as normal.
A heavy steel blade pushes and compacts the loaded waste into the truck's main body. These automated vehicles can continue to make several stops before they have to go to a transfer station.
Why Did the Garbage Truck Skip My Can Again?
When your municipality or HOA uses automated garbage trucks, it can affect your refuse collection if you don't meet certain criteria. A big culprit is poor clearance, since these robotic arms need about 3 ft of clear space on all sides of your trash bin.
If you put them too close to the fence, a tree, or another trash can, expect it to be skipped. Before you leave your trash out overnight, make sure the lid is facing the street or the handle is facing the road and not your house.
Otherwise, the mechanical claw can't grip and invert properly.
What about your car or snow banks? They may be blocking the edge of your driveway so that the garbage truck can't get close enough to reach the bin. The driver won't risk damaging the property to reach over your car.
Overflowing trash not only looks unsightly but can attract pests. It can also create an open lid that will cause trash to spill out during the mechanical arm flip or jam the truck's mechanism.
What Collection Service Type Do I Have?
Start by checking your county, city, or town government website. You'll find your waste hauler's portal under "solid waste" or "public works," where you can review the collection service you have.
However, the hauler's instructions will also give away whether you have automatic collection. Normally, they'll direct you to point lid openings toward the street and keep them 3 to 5 ft. apart from other obstructions like cars or poles.
If you're around during collection and see a truck with an automated arm picking up bins, you'll also know for sure.
Should More Companies Invest In This Truck Type?
More companies already use this truck technology for the lower operational costs and improved worker safety. Since drivers are safer inside the cab, it reduces the risk of common ergonomic or traffic-related worker injuries. Reviewing McNeilus garbage trucks for sale may be the first step towards better route efficiency, injury reduction, and employee retention.
However, before making the switch, stakeholders should understand the upfront capital cost for buying a fleet of automated trucks. Check each neighborhood's spatial limitations, as automated arms require enough proper clearance arc and a clean line of sight. This can be a problem in more dense urban areas where there's tight street parking and alleyways.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Garbage Trucks Make Good Money?
How much a garbage truck driver makes can vary based on their:
- Location
- Level of experience
- Employment with the city municipality or a private company
According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for a garbage truck driver is $40,000 per year, but compensation can reach $50,000 and $60,000 with overtime and bonuses.
Garbage truck drivers working in New York City and Los Angeles can bring home $90,000 to over 100,000 a year with overtime and benefits. This higher salary comes from a strong union and a higher cost of living in these areas.
Municipal jobs also have better:
- Union representation
- Health insurance
- Pension and retirement matching
Garbage truck professionals can also have specializations that further increase income. A commercial driver's license or certification to handle hazardous material commands higher salaries.
Will Garbage Trucks Take a Toilet?
Regular collection won't take a toilet even if you break it apart. It's usually classified as construction or bulk waste. Attempting to put it in your household garbage usually means it's getting left behind, or you can get a fine.
You can get rid of this by scheduling a bulk pickup collection in advance. If your toilet is still clean and in good working condition, consider donating it to organizations like Habitat for Humanity.
Take it to a landfill or transfer station, where you may pay a small disposal fee. The simplest way to get rid of an old toilet is to hire a junk removal service, like 1-800 GotJunk, that will come to your location and haul it away for you.
Understand How High-tech Trash Collection Works in Your Area
Once you understand how an automated garbage truck works, you can make a few adjustments to ensure your trash doesn't get left behind and stink up the area.
Avoid overflow so the lid can close, turn the handle so the truck's arm can easily reach it, and ensure nothing blocks the 3-ft clearance zone. With this checklist in mind, your trash collection can go off without a hitch, and you won't have to drive to the landfill or order bulk pickup unless necessary.
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