Our New Side-Load Truck —
What Customers Need to Know

We’re excited to announce the addition of a new automated side-load (ASL) truck to our fleet. This investment improves safety, increases route reliability, and helps us serve you better. Below you’ll find a concise explanation of why we added this truck, how it operates, the most important customer-facing guidelines, and what to do if something goes wrong.

Why We Added a Side-Load Truck

The driver remains in the cab and controls a hydraulic arm that reaches out, lifts, and empties your cart or container into the hopper.
The arm uses sensors and cameras to position itself and verify a secure lift before dumping.
Once emptied, the container is returned to the ground where it was found — the whole process is automated and controlled from the cab.

This is faster than manual loading and keeps our drivers out of traffic during pickups.

How Does The Side-Load Truck Operate?

A side-load truck uses a hydraulic arm mounted on the side of the vehicle to service containers.

Here’s what happens during pickup:

The driver positions the truck alongside the container.
Using in-cab controls and cameras, the hydraulic arm reaches out and securely grabs the container.
The container is lifted, emptied into the truck, and then gently placed back on the ground.
The driver never needs to leave the cab during normal operation.

The system is designed to be precise, controlled, and safe — both for your container and the surrounding area.

Customer placement & access rules (must-follow)

Following these rules helps us keep service reliable and prevents damage.

Clearance & positioning

Place carts/containers parallel to and facing the roadway whenever possible.
Maintain 3 feet of clearance on each side of the cart and 10 feet of clearance in front and behind.
Keep 18 feet overhead clearance — no low awnings, wires, or tree branches.
Do not place carts between parked cars, behind vehicles, or inside tight enclosures that block the arm.

Surface & stability

Set containers on a flat, stable surface. Do not place on steep slopes or soft ground.
Wheels should be engaged or the cart secured to avoid rolling during pickup.

Lids & contents

Lids must be fully closed. Do not overfill or stack loose items on or beside the cart.
Broken carts or carts modified from original design may not be serviceable.

Extra trash & overflow materials

Automated side-load service is designed to safely empty the contents inside your cart or container.
Extra bags, boxes, or loose items placed outside the cart will not be collected unless prior arrangements are made.
Overflowing carts with lids that cannot fully close may be skipped for safety reasons.
Large or bulky items (furniture, construction debris, appliances) require scheduled pickup or alternative service.
If you regularly generate more waste than fits in your container, please contact us. We can:
Recommend a larger cart or additional container
Adjust pickup frequency where available
Schedule occasional overflow or bulk pickups
Our goal is to keep service predictable, safe, and fair for all customers.

Seasonal & temporary conditions

Clear snow, ice, and slush from around carts and access paths before pickup.
If wind is forecast, secure lids and loose material to prevent interference with the arm.

Obstructions & the driver’s limits

Drivers will not move cars, cut/tree-trim branches, or climb fences to reach carts.
If the driver deems the pickup unsafe or likely to cause damage, service may be skipped and a notice left.

FAQs

Q: Will the truck damage my cart?

A: Modern ASL systems are designed to lift carts gently and return them where they were found. Damage is uncommon, but can happen if a cart is broken, overloaded, or improperly positioned.

Q: What if my driveway is narrow?

A: Place your cart at the curb, parallel to the street, following the clearance rules above. If you have permanent access concerns, contact us to discuss options.

Q: Do I need to buy a special cart?

A: Most standard curbside carts are compatible. If you have an unusual container, reach out and we’ll confirm compatibility.

Contact & reporting

If you have questions about placement, need special arrangements, or need to report an incident, please contact our customer service team at (phone) or (email). Provide your address, pickup day, and a short description so we can respond quickly.