In the weeks ahead, a big change is coming that will affect almost all city of Waukesha residents.
The way people get rid of trash and recycling is changing locally.
The new system is a single-stream process that communities throughout Waukesha County are using in a partnership with the city of Milwaukee. The recyclable items will go to a single-stream recycling facility in Milwaukee. This facility will process all of the recyclables collected from residents in the communities participating in the Waukesha County recycling program.
"This is a huge project," said Dustin Nolan, city of Waukesha recycling and solid waste coordinator.
This process begins with residents getting new trash and recycling carts, which replace their old garbage cans and recycling bins. Nolan, noting that about 40,000 people will be impacted, said residents should begin receiving the carts by the end of the month or early February at the latest. He said a specific date has not been selected.
People do not have to be home when the new carts are delivered and residents can begin using the carts once they receive them, he added.
But Nolan did stress that people must remember to keep garbage in the designated garbage cart and recyclable items in the recycling cart. The carts should face the street with the opening of the lid on the street side.
Here are answers to five frequently asked questions relating to the new system.
Q. Do all recyclable items need to be put into one cart?
A. Yes. All recyclable items — whether it's newspapers, glass bottles, milk containers, cardboard, plastic containers or soda cans — should be put into the same recycling cart that is delivered to your home. They no longer need to be separated. The items should be placed loosely in the cart and not in plastic bags. (The city advises that residents rinse and dry bottles before putting them into the carts.) Nolan hopes the new containers, which will be 96 gallons (equaling three of the current blue bins), and the new single-stream system increases recycling across the city. People will only receive a 48-gallon or a 64-gallon cart if they requested one when the city's Department of Public Works sent out a postcard mailer last fall.
Q. What happens if I have extra garbage and recycling that doesn't fit into my cart and what happens if I realize I need a different size cart?
A. Garbage bags and recycling items not in the carts will not be picked up by Advanced Disposal. All items must be inside the carts. However, the garbage lid does not have to be closed all the way if propped open by bags. The city also notes that old furniture — or other large collection items — that don't fit in the cart will be picked up in the same manner as in the past and will be picked up on regular garbage days. These items should be placed on the terrace. Unlike recycling, garbage can be placed in plastic bags inside the carts. The city, in fact, advises people to put garbage in bags to avoid having messy carts. If you realize you want a bigger or smaller sized cart (recycling or garbage) you can trade the new cart for a different one for $75. And if you want a second cart for garbage or recycling you can purchase one for an annual fee by contacting the city's DPW at (262) 524-3593 or Advanced Disposal.
Q. Will every city resident receive new recycling and garbage carts?
A. No. While most residents will get a new cart, not everyone is included in the program. Businesses and apartment complexes are not. Nor are homes that have alley pickup service at present — those residents will continue to use the old containers as well as properties in downtown. Condominiums on a private drive/private roadway will also not get carts. However, condos where people set out garbage and recycling on a public street will receive carts. Nolan said the city will use the same company for these locations, but different trucks will be designated for these sites. Nolan said there just isn't enough space for the carts at these locations because a device is attached to the vehicle, which flips over the carts. The "arm" attached to the truck then returns the cart to the same spot on the ground. "Those spaces are not conducive for carts and the trucks to pick them up," Nolan said. "These are big trucks."
Q. Will my garbage and recycling schedule change?
A. No. The same schedule that residents use for garbage and recycling will not change. Garbage will continue to be picked up weekly and recycling will be picked up every other week.
Q. What will happen with my old bin, garbage cans?
A. It's up to the resident. People can keep their garbage cans and blue bins or they can get rid of them. But the city stresses that even if you keep the cans or bins for home use, the new carts will be the only option available to put garbage and recycling in for pick up. According to the city, if a resident wants to turn in a blue recycling bin that is in good condition they can drop it off at the city's Drop-Off Center, 750 Sentry Drive, as a donation. If a resident, however, wants to get rid of both their old garbage cans and blue recycling bins the city will pick them up when the new carts arrived as long as they are set outside the carts when the new carts arrive.