MASON CITY — Mason City residents who use city sanitation service will soon see a major change at the curb as City Hall prepares to roll out automated garbage and recycling collection.
The city announced that its new “Cart Smart” program will begin the week of July 6, replacing the familiar blue recycling bins and regular garbage cans with city-issued rolling carts designed for automated collection.
Under the new system, sanitation trucks will use automated arms to lift and empty the carts without the operator leaving the cab. City officials say the change is intended to make collection more efficient and safer for employees by reducing the risk of work-related injuries.
The new carts will be delivered directly to city sanitation customers during the week of June 22.
Residents will receive two carts. The cart with the yellow lid is for recycling. The cart with the black lid is for garbage.
Starting the week of July 6, all city sanitation customers must use the provided rolling carts for garbage and recycling collection.
The change is part of a growing trend among cities moving to automated collection systems. These systems can reduce lifting injuries for sanitation workers, speed up routes and create a more uniform curbside collection process. They also require residents to follow placement rules so the truck’s automated arm can safely reach and dump the carts.
The city said garbage collection will continue weekly, while recycling will be picked up every other week. Some collection dates have changed, and residents are encouraged to check their pickup day through the city’s website at www.masoncity.net/collectionday.
Residents should place carts at the curb no later than 6:00 a.m. on collection day. The city encourages customers to set carts out the night before.
Carts must be placed on the street side of the address, at the edge of the curb, at the end of the driveway or where the property meets the road. Carts should not be placed in the street.
The arrows on each cart lid must point toward the street, with the cart handle facing the property.
Carts must also be spaced properly. The city says carts should be at least 2 feet away from parked cars, mailboxes, trees and other obstacles. Multiple carts should also be at least 2 feet apart from each other.
Recycling items can be mixed together in the yellow-lid recycling cart and do not need to be separated. Garbage should be bagged and placed in the black-lid garbage cart.
Residents are asked not to overfill carts and to make sure lids are closed.
There are no changes to yard waste collection. Residents should continue placing yard waste items on the curb on their regular pickup day.
Large items should not be placed in the carts, including TVs, computers, appliances, electronics or similar items. Large-item pickup must be scheduled by calling Mason City Sanitation at 641-421-3691.
Residents with extra garbage may place one extra bag on top of the cart with a sanitation sticker. The sticker must be visible to the sanitation truck driver.
Residents who want to get rid of their current blue recycling bins or trash cans may place a “THROW AWAY” sign on the bin or cart. The city will collect those items on regular collection days during the week of June 29 through July 2.
Residents should continue using their current blue recycling bins and trash cans during that week, then start using the new “Cart Smart” carts the week of July 6.
City officials are reminding residents to “park, point and space” the carts: park them at the correct curbside location, point the arrows toward the street and space them away from obstacles.
More information, including program details, collection information, FAQs and an interactive map showing collection days by address, is available at www.masoncity.net/cartsmart.
Questions may be directed to Mason City Public Works at 641-421-3691.