Automated Refuse Collection Program

Services for the 2009 expansion of the Automated Refuse Collection Program will begin on August 31st.  Department of Sanitation employees will begin delivering new wheeled trash carts on Monday, August 24th, through Friday, August 28th.  Please take a moment to review the information packet that will be included with your new container for important details.  Click here for maps of the upcoming Automated Refuse Collection Program expansion area.

Fort Smith’s automated refuse collection program saves residents money and improves efficiency by using technology to pick up and empty city-provided carts instead of relying on manual heavy lifting.

Because this automation allows one person to do the work that used to require two or three, rates can remain stable for longer periods and everyone in the community saves money. We have also organized our automated collection program in a way that beautifies the community by providing a cart that does not detract from the aesthetics of the neighborhoods with its uniformed design, because household waste, yard waste and recyclable material are all picked up on the same day – thus eliminating the need for containers to be set out more than once a week in any given neighborhood.

Fort Smith residents are provided one city-owned, 95-gallon cart or a smaller 65-gallon cart. These expertly designed carts have close-fitting lids to help eliminate litter, odor, animal and insect problems. Residents are also encouraged to use trash bags inside the carts to further promote cleanliness.

Residents wishing to obtain an additional cart can do so for a mere $5 per month.

The city is also happy to provide, upon request, a 32-gallon recycling container, which can be used for materials like steel and aluminum cans, corrugated cardboard and newspapers. We also encourage residents to collect glass bottles and jars to be set out separately for collection. Wheels can be placed on recycling containers upon request.

Please do not put hazardous waste, yard waste or dead animals in your cart. We ask that residents place their containers 18 inches from the street and three feet apart from each others.

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