Automation '96: It's Recycling's Turn

Bill Knapp

You have carefully weighed the advantages of automating your refuse collection operations and decided that the reduction in vehicles, fewer workers, near zero injury rates, cleaner streets and higher efficiency are worth the change.

The commitment is made, the publicity is in full swing, the residents are informed and willing and implementation is fully planned.

Maybe you have decided that automation doesn't allow for special collections, such as recyclables, green waste or large overages. But you are mandated to reach a state recycling goal, which means you are interested in finding the most cost-effective means. Maybe it's automation - semi or full.

As we enter 1996, many of you are re-thinking what the next generation of automated systems should be.

Some of you are looking at the lessons learned from those who went before you.