New Trash Cans Roll Out to Anchorage Neighborhoods

Alaska Waste is phasing out its old garbage trucks for new ones with an automatic arm to pick up garbage cans.

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By Lauren Maxwell
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Story Created: Jul 13, 2011 at 5:27 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Jul 13, 2011 at 5:49 PM AKDT

Thousands of residents in Anchorage and Eagle River are about to experience a change in how their garbage is picked up if they haven’t already.

Alaska Waste is changing to an automated system and requiring their customers to use new “roll cart” cans to match.

The roll carts are basically large, plastic trashcans on wheels. They are shaped so that an automated arm on Alaska Waste’s new garbage trucks can pick them up and empty them in the top of the truck.

The company says the new system is more efficient; in fact about 20,000 Anchorage and Eagle River customers are already using it, with a plan to double that number by next summer.

Customers in the Mat-Su Valley have had the service for about three years.

But for some the cans are still a surprise. Customers don’t get a choice in whether they want the new service although they do have a choice in what size can they would like.

The company says it sends out two letters telling people when the new service will start and asking about size preference.

If people don’t respond Alaska Waste will decide for them and place a 96-gallon can in their driveway at a cost of about $36 a month.

Alaska Waste says some customers may find that their rates go up under the new system while others may stay the same or even drop. The fees depend on what service and can size is selected.

But all customers will pay a two-dollar monthly rental fee per can.

The company says customers can still put out additional bags beside their new trashcans but Alaska Waste will charge two dollars a bag to pick those up.

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