After months of planning, CD-Day (as in, "Cart Delivery Day") is finally here.
The 60,000 new wheeled 95-gallon garbage carts will be delivered to all City households over the next three weeks, starting with the initial South Knoxville and North Knoxville deliveries today (Thursday, Dec. 1).
Specifically, the first deliveries will be made to South Knoxville homes on the western side of Chapman Highway and to North Knoxville residents in the Fountain City/Clinton Highway areas.
Residents should begin using the new garbage cart on Jan. 2.
Got questions? There is information attached to the cart, and additional details can be found at knoxvilletn.gov/garbage or by calling the city at 311.
Or, here are a few FAQs:
Why is the City providing these carts?
At a press conference Monday, Mayor Madeline Rogero explained how the carts are key to a long-term modernization of trash-collection services.
"This was a unique opportunity to put in place a long-term plan to enhance and modernize garbage collection operations, and save a lot of taxpayer money, over the next 15 to 20 years," the Mayor said. "We did our homework. Staff and the City's consultant worked on this for months to determine the best way to improve services while reducing costs.
"We studied best practices throughout the country, and we analyzed a variety of options. Ultimately, the best and most cost-effective approach became clear."
The 60,000 carts were purchased for $2.9 million - a strategic investment that will pay for itself in about a year and half.
Right after the cart purchase was approved, City Council approved a competitively-bid collection contract with Waste Connections. The two contracts were separate but intertwined. Waste Connections’ trucks are designed to hoist these receptacles and dump the trash into the back of the garbage trucks.
That means fewer injuries and improved working conditions for garbage collectors.
And with improved efficiency in using these new standard-sized 95-gallon wheeled carts, City taxpayers will be saving $2 million every year on garbage collection.
How will the carts be delivered?
The carts will be delivered to households that receive City garbage pick-up between Dec. 1 and Dec. 23. Four teams will be delivering a combined 3,000 to 4,000 carts each day. Parts of South Knoxville and North Knoxville will receive the first carts in the next several days.
Check the Cart Smart blog in the coming weeks for general delivery schedule information. Or, if you have any questions, please call the City's 311 Call Center. (Direct calls to the City, please, so that the delivery crews can focus on getting carts out to everyone.)
The carts will be delivered near the bottom of residents' driveways; homeowners should take it to their usual storage location until it is time to take it to the curb in January.
When do I start using my new cart?
Residents can begin using the new cart for garbage pickup starting Monday, Jan. 2, 2017.
Just put garbage in the cart and bring the cart to the usual pickup location with the handle toward the house.
The lid on the cart must be closed with no additional bags placed on top.
Will my scheduled day for garbage pickup change?
No changes are expected in terms of which day garbage will be picked up in various neighborhoods.
Anything else I should know about the new carts?
Because an arm on the truck hoists the cart and dumps its contents, it's important that citizens place the cart away from vehicles, utility poles or other items that might restrict the garbage truck mechanism from picking up the cart.
Also, please do not allow the cart to block traffic, mail service, sidewalks or cause any safety issues.
What do I do with my old garbage can?
One option is to reuse your trash can around the house. Use it for compost, or to store lawn tools, or convert it into a rain barrel.
However, if you can't find a use for your old garbage can, it may be taken to a City of Knoxville recycling center starting in January. (They won't be recycled, but they will be disposed of.) An even easier option for people wanting to dispose of their old garbage cans: They can be left out empty beside the new garbage cart in February for pickup.