The City of Cedar Rapids Solid Waste & Recycling Division uses a pay-as-you-throw program to make sure the cost of waste disposal is fairly distributed across households.
Pay-As-You-Throw
Every customer is allotted one 35 gallon container. When you receive your GARBY cart, that is your 35 gallon container. If you have more garbage than will fit in your 35 gallon container, you will need to purchase an extra garbage sticker for each additional item.
Automated Garbage
The Cedar Rapids Solid Waste & Recycling Division is transitioning to a fully automated garbage collection system in order to reduce worker injury and staffing needs. In 2011, 35 gallon GARBY carts were delivered to every customer. This year we will have fully automated garbage collection trucks on 9 of the 10 daily garbage collection routes.
How to use GARBY
- You can put up to 100 pounds of bagged garbage in the GARBY cart each week
- Leave 3 feet between GARBY and other objects
- All garbage must be bagged before placing it in GARBY for collection
- Extra garbage must be placed in a 35 gallon, 40 pound or less, bag with an extra garbage sticker attached. Extra garbage can be placed on top of the GARBY cart with the sticker clearly visible from the street or next to the GARBY cart.
- Use the GARBY cart even if you only have a small bag of garbage each week
Why can't I set out a garbage can?
Garbage cans are no longer accepted because crews cannot safely empty the cans into the new fully-automated trucks. The fully automated trucks load on the side and the height of the hopper forces crews to lift the cans above their head, creating a safety hazard.
What can I do with my old garbage can?
There are several recycling drop-off sites for your old garbage can.
How big is GARBY?
GARBY is taller and skinnier than your current garbage can, but still holds the same volume. Exact dimensions.
Why the change?
The switch to automated garbage will reduce the number of employees needed to collect the garbage and reduce the physical demand associated with lifting approximately 5 tons of garbage a day. No current employees will lose their job due to this switch, but some positions will be eliminated when they become vacant. The shift will also help reduce the number of injuries experienced by our garbage collection crews.