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Automated Collection

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1. Why is the city switching to the new system?

There are many reasons the City of Minot is switching to an automated system, including:

Worker safety. Sanitation crews will no longer be subjected to the harsh elements of North Dakota’s weather, and the automated system will greatly reduce the number of on-the-job injuries to workers. Under the current system, crew members face a number of potential injuries, including slips, trips, falls, hazardous chemicals, and scrapes and cuts from broken glass, needles, and nails. Nationally, solid waste and recycling collection workers are three times more likely to be killed on the job than fire fighters and policemen, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Sanitation claims account for 22 percent of Workforce Safety and Insurance claims, although sanitation employees account for only 4 percent of the workforce.

Efficiency. Sanitation crews will be doing the same amount of work or more with fewer people, which will save the City of Minot money in the long term. The basic $16.22 monthly fee for sanitation services in 2017 would have been approximately the same regardless of whether or not the City transitioned to automated sanitation pickup.

Cleanliness: With household garbage being contained in the new carts, there will be less debris blowing around the city, and there will no longer be unsightly piles of garbage sitting on the curb. In addition, animals will no longer be able to tear open bags of trash. The new containers are also built to be resistant to tipping over in windy conditions, reducing the amount of trash being blown around by the wind.

This is the first step for the City of Minot to provide curbside recycling. The City will now have the trucks necessary to implement a curbside recycling collection program in the future.

2. When will the new automated system start?

The City of Minot will begin using the new automated trucks on July 17, 2017. The new trash containers will be delivered to Minot households July 8-16, with a total of 12,500 containers delivered to residents.

3. Can you explain how will the new automated process will work?

The new sanitation trucks purchased by the City of Minot will drive up next to your new waste container, use mechanical arms to lift the container, empty the contents into the truck, and return the container to the ground. The trucks are operated by one person, who can perform the job without being exposed to the elements of a North Dakota winter or other times of bad weather.

4. What are the three sizes of the new trash containers?

The new trash containers provided by the City of Minot are available in three sizes: 35 gallons, 65 gallons, 95 gallons. Unless they notified the City which size they preferred, residents will be provided with the standard 65-gallon container. Click here to request a cart swap.

5. Can I get help if I’m physically unable to move the new containers to the curb by myself?

Yes. The City of Minot will provide a valet service for elderly or handicapped residents that may have a medical issue that inhibits them from rolling their cart to the curb. Those residents can call the Public Works Department at 857-4140 to obtain an application. Please complete and return the application, signed by a physician, to Public Works for review. In these cases, the driver of the collection truck will come to the house to retrieve the resident’s collection cart, and return the empty cart to the house.

6. Can I leave the new container by the curb all the time, or do I have to remove it after the trash is collected from it?

Collection carts cannot be left by the curb on a permanent basis. Waste carts cannot be placed for collection prior to 6 p.m. the day before collection. Carts should be set out by 7 a.m. on the day of collection, and should be removed from the collection point before 10 p.m. on the day of collection. All waste must be put in bags before being placed into the containers. Waste containers must be placed on the curb or pavement edge. Waste carts must be placed within three feet of the alley where access is not impeded by garages, fences, cars, telephone poles, or other obstructions.

7. What if I change my mind about which size of container I want to use? How do I switch containers?

Residents will be required to keep the cart that was chosen or assigned during the survey period for 90 days before being allowed to swap the container for another size. After 90 days, residents can change to a smaller or larger unit. Once per calendar year, residents will be able to swap their containers for a different size for free. There will be a $30 fee assessed for each additional swap thereafter. Click here to request a cart swap.

8. If my container is stolen or damaged, do I have to pay for a new one?

Trash collection carts damaged by collection crews will be replaced at no charge. If a cart is damaged by the resident, it is the resident’s responsibility to pay for the replacement container. City sanitation crews will deliver the new carts to residents.

9. If I put my trash on the curb in a different container than the city approved one, will the sanitation crews collect it?

No. All approved waste must be placed inside the carts provided by the City. Any waste left curbside in other containers will not be collected by city crews.

10. Will switching to the new system cause my monthly sanitation fee to rise? If so, how much?

City residents currently pay a monthly fee of $16.22 for garbage collection. If you use the standard 65-gallon container, your fee will remain $16.22. If you requested a 95-gallon container, your monthly fee will be $17.72. If you requested a 35-gallon container, your monthly fee will be $14.72.

11. Will the city still pick up tree branches?

Yes, but there are some guidelines. Only tree branches and trimmings cut by the homeowner will be picked up curbside. Branches must be cut and bundled in 6 foot (or less) lengths. Do not place tree branches or trimmings in the City of Minot waste containers. *Update* Tree branch piles will be picked up throughout the week as time permits. Set them out on your scheduled collection day, and the operator will schedule a pick up within the next few days. Tree piles that are deemed excessive will not be hauled by sanitation crews.

12. Will the city still pick up old appliances and other large items?

Yes, but there are some guidelines. Residents must call Public Works at 857-4140 to schedule bulk item collection. There is a $10 fee for each bulk item collected curbside. The fee will be added to your monthly bill. Bulk items include couches, end tables, computer desks, beds, bookcases, lawnmowers, snow blowers, appliances, and barbeque grills. Items the City will not collect include all building materials, carpet, boxes, sheet rock, kitchen cabinets, concrete, windows, fences, siding, TVs, computers, bricks, dirt, tires, or shingles.

13. What items are prohibited in city issued waste carts?

The City will not collect paint, paint cans, stain, car batteries, ashes, propane tanks, hazardous waste, motor oil, construction debris, concrete, bricks, dirt, rocks, or building materials. These items can be disposed of at the City of Minot landfill. The City sanitation crews do not collect grass clippings or other yard waste, which can be brought for free to one of the 10 collection sites in the city or directly to the city landfill.

14. Will the city continue to pick up garbage twice a week under the new automated system?

Yes. As always, waste will not be collected on New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Christmas Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving Day, Good Friday, Veteran’s Day, President’s Day, or Labor Day.

15. Will the new system mean some city sanitation workers will lose their jobs?

While the new automated system will reduce the garbage collection workforce from 20 employees to 10 employees, the Sanitation Department has prepared for the new system by not filling many open positions within the department. The 10 positions needed going forward will be filled by current employees of the department, and any workers displaced from the sanitation crews will have the opportunity to apply for and transfer to other positions with the City of Minot.

16. How many new sanitation trucks did the city have to buy?

The City of Minot purchased six new trucks. Five trucks will be out on routes every day, with one serving as a backup for breakdowns, etc. The City has outfitted some current trucks to be semi-automated. Currently, the City has six trucks out on routes daily. Under the new system, there will still be six trucks out on routes every day: Five new, fully automated trucks with one crew member each, and one retro-fitted, semi-automated truck with a three-person crew.

17. Other than new trucks and trash carts, will the city have to purchase any other equipment to make the new system work?

No

18. Will the new system have to change again when Minot begins recycling efforts? If so, why don’t we wait until then to change instead of changing everything twice?

There’s no guarantee when the city will begin a curbside recycling program, and preparing for recycling is just a small part of why the City is changing to the automated collection system. With the new automated trucks, the City will be ready to implement a curbside recycling program in the future. When that happens, garbage will be picked up once a week and recycling will be picked up once a week.