The first day of operation for Weyburn's new automated refuse system exposed several hurdles for City workers, emphasizing the need for more education of the new system to the public, according to City Engineering Assistant Jesse Watamanuk.
The new automated refuse truck began its rounds on January 31. City workers were forced to move several carts in order to access them with the trucks' automated collection arm. Carts that were inaccessible received a pink slip, notifying the resident of the problem.
Watamanuk said that the City will continue to give residents warnings about the accessibility of their carts for the first couple of pick-ups, after that, incorrectly placed carts will not be emptied.
"We're giving people a chance to correct these things," said Watamanuk. "It's a learning process for everybody."
The placement of the cart is very important, according to Watamanuk. The automated refuse arm requires at least one-metre clearance from all obstacles. Carts cannot be placed on top of or behind snow banks. They must be placed on level ground with the wheels facing the curb.
As for storing the cart, residents must remove their cart from the street within 24 hours of their garbage being picked up and it must be pulled back to the house line, according to local bylaws.
