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 not yet received your GARBY cart, you may use a 35 gallon garbage can or bag. 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
Starting in late July, 2011, the Cedar Rapids Solid Waste & Recycling Division will deliver a 35 gallon garbage cart to each customer. The garbage cart, or GARBY, will replace your current garbage can. GARBY will be grey with a black lid and be delivered to the curb at the front of your home. If you have alley collection, you will set GARBY out in your normal collection spot.
How to use GARBY
- You can put up to 100 pounds of bagged garbage in the GARBY cart each week
- 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
- Use the GARBY cart even if you only have a small bag of garbage each week
When will my GARBY arrive?
Cart delivery will begin in late July and continue through September 2011. The delivery schedule will start with Monday's collection routes, then Tuesday's collection routes and so on. We cannot provide a house-by-house delivery schedule, but updates will be issued through CR NEWS NOW.
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.
Can I get a second GARBY? Do you have bigger sizes?
At this time residents are only allowed one GARBY cart per residential unit. The GARBY cart is only available in the 35 gallon size to support the pay-as-you-throw program.
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.