(Cherry Hill, N.J.) — Cherry Hill will move to fully automated residential trash collection later this year, under a new five-year contract for trash collection and disposal services awarded by Township Council on Monday, Sept. 28.
The system will function similarly to the Township’s existing recycling program. Each household in the Township will receive a 96-gallon, wheeled trash can that will replace all other trash bins. The bins will be emptied each week by specially outfitted trucks with automated arms that will lift the can, empty it, and place it back at the curb.
The green trash carts are in addition to the blue recycling carts that have been in use for the last several years. Trash and recycling will continue to be collected in separate carts on the same collection day.
“The move to fully automated collection will provide for a more efficient and effective service for our residents,” Mayor Chuck Cahn said. “At the same time, the new carts being provided to residents will help to keep our neighborhoods neat and clean, improve safety on residential streets, and create safer working conditions for trash collectors.”
In addition to added efficiencies and faster service, the move to automation provides for a savings of approximately $1.35 million compared with the cost of manual trash-collection service over the life of the contract.
Township officials expect to realize an additional reduction in solid waste tonnage once automated collection is implemented Township-wide.
The green, 96-gallon carts are expected to be delivered to residents in mid- to late-November, with full implementation expected to take several weeks. Once the new cart has been delivered to a home, automated collection will begin the following week. Trash placed at the curb in any other receptacle will not be collected.
The bins are property of Cherry Hill Township; they will be delivered directly to each home. No appointments are necessary, and residents do not need to be home to receive the new trash bin.
“Towns across the country have made the move to automated collection, and have historically reported both decreased collection costs, as well as an increase in the town’s recycling rate – which in turn can generate additional revenue in the form of recycling tonnage grants,” Mayor Cahn added. “This will be a very positive step forward for our community.”
Click here for a list of Frequently Asked Questions. For more information, contact the Department of Public Works at (856) 424-4422.