WILMINGTON − Residents are beginning to receive new trash cans courtesy of the City of Wilmington’s Sanitation Department. This is part of a new automated waste collection program the department implemented which will start officially on Oct. 3.
Braden Dunham, the superintendent of Wilmington’s sanitation department, said that this new cleaner process may be a little different, but it still functions the same.
“They’ll still put their trash out the same, it’s just going to be a different trash can that we’re supplying them at no extra charge,” said Dunham.
He stated that he had been looking into this program for the past couple of months and has traveled to demonstrations and shows to see how it works. After that, Dunham decided that this would be a much cleaner and safer way to dispose of garbage.
“It’s way more efficient and cleaner,” he said. “People would sit out garbage cans and garbage bags. You’d have animals and people who will scavenge through the trash (bags). Every trash day there’s litter blowing everywhere.”
Instead of a three-man team handling the trash pick-up, it’ll instead just be one person driving the new truck. The units are equipped with a hydraulic arm that is controlled by a joystick which will pick up the either 95- or 65-gallon Toter container and dump it.
According to Dunham, the 95-gallon bins would be going to residences with multiple occupants and the 65-gallon ones would go smaller households and seniors.
“We ask that people be patient with us, as this is our first time doing this,” said Dunham, “I understand that there may be some confusion, but if they have any questions they can ask at any time. “
Reach John Hamilton at (937) 382-2574.
