Frequently
Asked Questions
Questions
and Answers about
Automated Trash and Recycling Collection
Is
my garbage day changing?
NO - your trash day will remain the same. Please have your trash
out at 7:00 am on your day of collection.
What can I put in the cart for trash
collection?
Only bagged household trash can be put in your container. Do not
place yard waste, brush, or any construction debris in your cart.
Automotive parts, tires, hazardous waste and hot ashes are prohibited.
All trash must be contained in the cart or it will not be collected.
Can I use another container?
NO - only the carts issued by the city can be used. Trash left
outside the carts will not be collected. Carts that are blocked
or turned the wrong way cannot be emptied.
What can I put in the cart for recycling collection?
Items that went into your blue recycling bin (bottles, cans, small
metal items, #1 and #2 plastics) can now be put into your blue
roll-cart. Items that went into your green recycling bin (paper,
cardboard) can now be put into your green roll-cart.
Does cardboard have to be bundled and tied?
Cardboard does NOT have to be bundled and tied. To prevent cardboard
from being jammed too tightly, we ask that you cut or flatten
the cardboard so that the container can be easily emptied.
An Incorrect Cart.
All waste must be placed inside the container. |
How full should my recycling cart be when I set it out?
It is most efficient and economical for our trucks to make stops
for full, or nearly full carts. Also, it improves air quality
when trucks don’t have to make unnecessary stops. If your cart
is not full and you feel you can wait until the next collection
cycle, please do not put your cart out.
What size is the recycling cart?
Initially most households will receive two 65-gallon recycling
carts: one blue and one green (a
limited number of 35-gallon cart are available for the elderly,
disabled, and some condominium
residents). If a customer has a valid concern about having two
65-gallon recycling containers and needs larger ones, department
staff can assess the situation and may replace them with two
95- gallon recycling carts (if available) for one time at no
charge.
How do I get large items collected?
Bulky items that will not fit in your cart such as furniture,
mattresses, and other large items are picked up separately from
household trash. Call the Recycling & Sanitation office
at 732-9589 to schedule an appointment for collection of these
items. (three items max) Large metal items such as grills, bicycles,
lawnmowers, lawn chairs, etc. should be dropped off at the Municipal
Recycling Facility located behind the Mickey Stevens Sports
Complex.
Do I still need to bag my trash?
YES - all trash must be bagged before it is put in the roll
cart. Bagging helps keep your cart clean and reduces wind blown
litter. We will not pick up litter blown out of the carts.
Where should I put my cart?
Carts must be placed at least three feet from obstacles such
as utility poles, mailboxes, trees, and parked cars. Carts must
be within two feet of the curb edge. Make sure the container
handle faces away from the street toward your home. When your
carts are delivered, they will be placed in the most ideal location
for service. Please place the containers in that same location
each week for collection.
Why do the handles on the garbage
and recycling containers need to be facing my house?
The automated collection truck cannot turn the container around
as it picks it up. Dumping the container “backwards” can break
or damage the lid.
Why do I need to provide space between my garbage cart, recycling
cart, and other items out for collection?
A different vehicle collects each item, so access is important.
Also, the collection arm on the automated truck requires space
to make the collection safely so that it will not tip over other
containers or damage your property. Please keep the containers
away from mail boxes, fire hydrants, telephone poles and other
obstacles that may interfere with the collection.
When should I put the cart out?
Your cart must be at the curb by 7:00 am on your trash day.
After your cart is emptied, remove it from the curb that day.
Will a 95-gallon cart be sufficient for my trash? What if I
need more than one cart?
Experience has shown that the large 95-gallon carts are sufficient
for most homes. One cart holds the equivalent of three average
garbage containers. Proper recycling also helps reduce the volume
of garbage.
Can large families get additional
carts?
Are you recycling? Recycling more materials in these much larger
recycling carts will give you more room in your trash cart.
If there are more than six people in your household and you
recycle, you may be eligible for an additional garbage cart.
What if my cart gets damaged or
stolen?
The carts are the property of the City of Warwick and each one
is assigned an address and a serial number. All reports of damage
or theft will be investigated and should be reported to the
Recycling & Sanitation office at 732-9589. If our collection
truck caused the damage, we will replace the cart at no charge
to you. If the damage is from any other cause, the resident
is responsible for replacement. Wheels, lids, and axles are
normally replaced at no cost to the resident. Please DO NOT
write house numbers or put any other marking on the carts. The
cart is the property of the City of Warwick. If you move, please
leave the cart at your home.
What should I do with my old trash
cans?
Old trash containers can be used to hold yard waste. Just be
sure to affix a “Yard Debris Only” label to the container and
put it in out on your designated collection days. If you do
not wish to keep your old trash container, please place a note,
PLEASE TAKE, on the trash can the week of your first automated
collection and a separate truck will be by to collect it.
How
can I have a question answered that is not listed on this page?
You may email the automated sanitation department at auto.san@warwickri.com
