It’s all in the pick-up – talking trucks
- Published Date
- 31/07/2019
- News Topic
- Sustainability & Environment
We’ll soon be entering into a new contract with our waste collection services. Before we do that, we want to know what’s important to you. What do you like and what do you think can be improved?
One issue we’re looking at is how we pick up your garbage. We currently use side-loading trucks and we’re looking at whether or not we should switch to rear-loading trucks.
To help explain the difference, so you can make an informed decision, here’s an explanation of each truck.
What’s a side-loader truck?
A side-loader is the type of truck we’re currently using in most places. This type of truck uses a side-arm and can service bins from the street kerb. However, the bins need to be placed in the correct position on the street, on the street side of any parked cars.
In areas where vehicles are frequently parked on the street, we use ‘runners’ who run ahead of the trucks, pulling all of the bins out onto the street into the correct position for collection.
As anyone who parks their car on the street would know, this can mean your car is blocked in by bins on the morning of garbage day. Once the bins are emptied, the runners then return to the bins, returning them to the kerb. However, it can be a little while between pulling the bins out and returning them.
PROS:
- This type of truck can move quite quickly through the streets if the bins are lined up and ready to be emptied.
- It only requires one person to drive the truck, so it’s more cost efficient.
- This system works well for small apartments and houses as the bins are easy to line up and don’t take up too much space on the road.
CONS:
- It can be difficult to service narrow streets and densely populated areas with side-loaders as access can be difficult.
- The quality of the service can be compromised if a bin falls over and a lid opens.
- Parking may be restricted on service days.
- Bins are left on the street for a period of time, which can present hazards for people driving, walking and riding bikes.
What’s a rear-loader truck?
Switching to a rear-loading truck means Council can offer a higher level of service. Rather than using ‘runners’ to place the bins in the correct positions, rear-loading trucks have three workers with each truck – one to drive and two on the back of the truck. The workers on the back are able to pull the bins from the kerb, empty them and place them back on the kerb.
PROS:
- The level of service can be improved – bins can be taken from the kerb and replaced once emptied. Any dropped garbage can be picked up by the workers on the truck.
- Parking and access is less restricted as this type of truck doesn’t require having the bins lined up on the street waiting for the garbage truck to arrive. It is better suited to narrow streets where a lot of cars are parked.
- There will be fewer missed services as the workers on the back of the truck will be moving the bins back and forth.
- Safety is improved for all road users as bins are not left on the street.
CONS:
- More vehicles and staff are required so the cost is greater.
- The trucks move more slowly through the street as the workers move on and off the truck so cars can get caught behind in traffic.
In Randwick City, there are a variety of living situations – from large apartment buildings to free-standing homes. There are small streets that are filled with cars parked along the side and wider streets, with less on-street parking. Finding a solution that suits everyone’s needs isn’t always easy. We want to hear what matters to you. Please take a moment to fill in our waste survey, so your opinion can be counted.
This survey is open from 24 July to 3 September 2019. If you're a ratepayer, you'll also receive a survey with your July rates notice as well.