Garbage collection in Pitt Meadows will be going automated as of Oct. 31, and new, mandatory garbage containers are being delivered to households beginning next week.
The city’s waste collection contractor, Waste Management, will be upgrading to environmentally-friendly compressed natural gas trucks that will use an automated arm to pick up containers at the curb.
A “touch the truck” event will be taking place in Spirit Square on Friday, Oct. 28 at 3:15 p.m. until 4:45 p.m., when Waste Management will have an automated truck on-site for citizens to check out and learn more about the new service.
“This is an upgrade in service for Pitt Meadows, with new environmentally friendly trucks and ease of collection, included at a cost savings in the new waste collection contract,” said Mark Roberts, the city’s chief administrative officer.
Containers should be placed at the curb by 7:30 a.m. on collection day. To allow the trucks clear access to the container, it should be placed with the wheels as close to the curb as possible, with at least a metre away from any obstructions, such as cars, trees, fences, mailboxes or other containers.
It should also be placed with the lid opening toward the street. Information and instructions on how to place the cart at the curb for the trucks will also be included with the new containers delivered to households.
Residents with extra garbage must continue to purchase an extra bag tag, and extra bags should be left next to the new container, and not placed in another container.
The City of Pitt Meadows announced the new contract with Waste Management for garbage and green waste in August. The contract came after an announcement in May that Multi-Materials B.C. would be taking over the city’s recycling collection services in September, serviced by Smithrite Disposal.
Garbage collection in Pitt Meadows continues to be bi-weekly, with green waste and recycling remains weekly.
Pickup schedules and information on what is accepted in the curbside program will be delivered with new containers and is also available online at pittmeadows.ca.
Residents can also call Waste Management’s customer care line at 604-520-7800.