After lengthy debate, the city of Syracuse is finally rolling out the first phase of its semi-automated trash pick up plan. About 20% of Syracuse residents will receive new 96-gallon bins in June for stage one of the initiative.
Syracuse Chief Operating Officer Corey Driscoll Dunham said sanitation employees are training up to use the new semi-automated trucks by collaborating with the vehicle manufacturers.
"Make sure that we’re complying by the manual and the instructions that they provide and then also working for our safety team and our own human resources department,” Driscoll Dunham said.
However, the new trash pickup system has some residents concerned, including fears that the new 96-gallon carts will be too large for older residents or those with disabilities to move around. But Dunham said she thinks the new bins are actually more beneficial.
"After the first week or two once they get use to it they do find that it is a greater convenience," she said. "It's really easy to navigate; Folks are finding places to store them."
If the first phase goes well, the rest of the city will get the 96-gallon trash carts in late August and September.
