What is an automated collection program?
Automated collection refers to the system where an operator activates a mechanical arm on the side of the collection vehicle to lift and empty heavy-duty standardized collection carts. The carts have wheels, a hinged lid and are sturdier than household receptacles.

What are the advantages of automated collection?

For residents:

• Wheeled containers are more maneuverable and safer for residents.
• Cart capacity is equal to three or four regular-sized trash cans.
• The containers keep rodents and pets out.
• Containers are provided and maintained by the City.
• Cleaner, healthier neighborhoods and reduced wind-driven litter.
• More garbage and recycling can be set out each week for collection.

For the City:

• Improved collection efficiency.
• Reduced employee injuries.
• Reduced Worker’s Compensation claims and insurance premiums.
• Cleaner, healthier neighborhoods and reduced wind-driven litter.

Why is the City transitioning to automated collection?
Residents have long asked for a modernized solid waste collection system. It is more efficient than our current manual collection system and safer for employees. The current City fleet has operated well beyond its useful life. Split-hopper trucks equipped with a mechanical arm have been ordered to replace the current trucks.

What is the schedule for implementation?
Carts will be delivered over four weeks starting in September 2024. Automated curbside collection is expected to begin the week of Oct. 14, 2024.

I live in a condo or apartment building that has a private service, does this apply to me?
No. This change only applies to residents who already receive curbside collection service from the City of Marion.

How many jobs will be eliminated due to this modernization?
As part of this program, the City will be reducing the number of solid waste staff and vehicles (both by two) due to efficiencies gained. This will not result in layoffs, but staff will be reassigned to fill open positions within another division.

Who collects the garbage, recycling and yard waste?
City of Marion employees will operate the trucks that pick up residential materials.

Why the need for standardized collection carts?
The automated collection program requires standardized carts for pick up by a mechanical arm. The resident-owned receptacles currently in use are not durable enough or designed for this purpose. The lids on the new standardized carts will open automatically as the cart is dumped.

What are the sizes of the collection carts?
The City will offer two cart sizes for garbage and recycling. The carts have been purchased from Toter.

• 64 gallon (as part of the standard program)
• 48 gallon (alternate option for residents who produce less waste)

Those opting-in to the curbside yard waste service will receive a 64 gallon container.

How were the cart sizes determined?
The cart sizes were determined using a variety of data collected through the 2023 Curbside Collection Survey, field observations, current and projected garbage and recycling generation rates and information from comparable communities. The combination of data showed that slightly more than nine out of 10 households’ needs would be met with the 64-gallon cart.

Why are there only two cart sizes to choose from?
The City is limiting the cart sizes to minimize the amount of inventory it has to keep on hand, which impacts overall program costs. The body of every cart will be black and the lid color will indicate what it is used for - black for garbage, blue for recycling and green for yard waste.

How many carts will be issued to each residence?
Each residential dwelling will be issued a minimum of two carts – one for garbage and one for recycling. Those opting-in to the curbside yard waste collection service will be issued a third cart.

What are the cart weight restrictions?
Official weight limits will be available after a cart vendor has been selected. The following weight restrictions were gathered from other communities with similar-sized carts:

48 gallon-150 lbs.
64 gallon-200 lbs.

Do I need to buy the carts? 
No. The City will purchase the carts and then work with a vendor to assemble and deliver them for no additional cost. The carts will be assigned to each residence and should stay with the home. In essence, the rates include the cost of renting the carts. After initial roll-out and a 90-day exchange period, a delivery and service fee will apply.

How will I get my carts? 
Carts will be delivered to each household over four weeks starting in September 2024. Residents are not to begin using the new carts until the week of Oct. 14.

What are the dimensions of the carts? 
The approximate dimensions are:

48 gallon - 28.75" long x 23.5" wide x 37.5" high
64 gallon - 31.5" long x 24.25" wide x 41.75" high

Sample carts are able to be viewed at Marion City Hall.

Can I exchange my cart if I need a larger or smaller size?
Residents will have 90 days from initial roll-out in September to exchange the cart distributed to them for a more suitable size for no additional charge. After 90 days, a fee will apply.

Can I get more than one garbage cart?
Yes. If your household consistently produces more than one 64-gallon cart of garbage per week, you can add a second for $7.50 per month.

Can I get more than one recycling cart?
Yes. If your household produces more than one 64-gallon cart of recyclables per week, you can add a second for $5.50 per month.

Is there a limit to the number of yard waste carts I can have?
If you opt in to the service, the initial cart comes with a fee of $6 per month. There is no limit to the number of additional yard waste carts, however, each comes with a monthly $10 fee to cover the collection costs and processing fees for yard waste.

We’re used to using bags for yard waste. How many bags of grass fit into one yard waste container?
A 64-gallon cart can hold approximately four paper yard waste bags of material. This will be dependent upon the material.

Are table scraps, dog hair, dryer lint, baked goods or fruit/vegetable peelings allowed in the yard waste cart?
Items that originated in a garden are allowed in the yard waste cart. Other waste like table scraps, dog hair, dryer lint, etc. should be disposed of in the garbage cart.

What are the cart delivery fees?
Residents will not be charged a cart delivery fee as part of the initial program roll out or within the first 90 days. After that, City staff will swap carts for a $75 fee. Alternatively, residents will be allowed to drop off/pick up carts at the Public Services Facility for a $50 fee.

Can I use my own cart?
No. The household receptacles currently in use are not durable enough or designed for this purpose. The City of Marion will only empty carts that are issued by the City of Marion.

Where should I store the carts?
Store your garbage and recycling carts in your garage, beside your home or in another secured location. Some neighborhood covenants may have more specific rules. City ordinance requires that your cart must be removed from the street on the same day as collection.

What if my cart breaks?
The program policies continue to be developed, but if your issued cart is damaged from normal use, the City of Marion intends to repair or replace the cart.

Do I put the carts in the same place at the curb that I currently do?
In most cases, yes. If your collection location changes, you will be notified. It is important to keep 3 feet of clearance around the cart and have the front of the cart facing the street (wheels and handle of the cart toward the house).

When I move, do I take my carts with me?
No. Residents should leave the City-issued cart, in clean condition, with the home. If you are moving to a different address in the City limits, there will be a cart there when you arrive. If you purchase an additional cart from the City, please contact the Public Services Department so they can move the cart you purchased to the new address.

What should I do with my old garbage/recycling/yard waste containers? 
Residents are encouraged to repurpose their old containers whenever possible. Possible uses include storage for yard and garden equipment, compost, rainwater collection, storage for pet supplies, sports equipment or firewood.

The City has identified a vendor that can recycle the blue recycling bins. Instructions will be shared in the coming weeks regarding the plan for disposing of old garbage and recycling bins.

Do I need to use a garbage bag inside the cart? 
Liners are not required in the cart, but throwing loose garbage into the carts is highly discouraged. Loose trash becomes litter. All garbage placed in the cart should be in tied bags.

What if I am physically unable to wheel a cart to the curb?
If there is a physical or medical reason, special accommodations can be made by calling the Public Services Department at 319-377-6367. This requires staff approval in alignment with the regulations established in the City code.

Are the carts going to have a unique identifier on them so that we (and you) know which ones are ours?
They will. The carts will have RFID technology that enables us to know which address the cart is assigned to. The weight of the carts should significantly reduce tipping/blowing on windy days. Residents should not otherwise permanently mark or label the carts.

I'm concerned about my carts getting mixed up with my neighbors and would like to identify them in some way.
The carts themselves will have a number stamped on the front. If you must identify yours in another way, use a paint pen to put your address on the inside of each lid. Please remember, the carts are considered City property and the intent is for them to be able to be cleaned/reissued to different addresses as appropriate.

What does the service cost?
Based on thorough analysis as part of the 2023 Automated Collection Study, the curbside garbage/recycling service costs $26 per month, and if opting-in to curbside yard waste collection the cost will be an additional $6 per month. The cost covers the carts, new vehicles, landfill tipping fees and the service being provided. As part of the City’s annual budgeting process, we will carefully evaluate the cost to deliver these services and make pricing adjustments as needed.

Can you provide a summary of the costs?

• Weekly garbage/recycling curbside collection - $26 per month - effective July 1, 2024
• Weekly yard waste curbside collection (opt-in) - $6 per month - effective Sept. 2024
• Cart delivery fees for initial program rollout - No charge if exchange request made within 90 days of curbside collection beginning
• Extra Cart Set-Up/Delivery Fee - $75 per cart for the City to deliver; $50 per cart for resident to pick-up
• Extra garbage cart weekly service, limit 1- $7.50 per month
• Extra recycling cart weekly service, limit 1- $5.50 per month
• Extra yard waste cart service, no limit, cost per cart - $10 per month

Why is yard waste not included in the overall rate?
As part of the 2023 Automated Collection Study, it was estimated that roughly only 30% of households consistently use the City’s curbside yard waste service. To manage overhead expenses, run efficient routes, reduce unnecessary wear/tear on City equipment, and sufficiently cover the cost of providing the service, curbside yard waste collection will be an opt-in program for those who want the service. Anyone receiving garbage/ recycling collection services will continue to have access to the Recycling and Yard Waste Drop-Off facilities at no cost. 

If I opt in to the curbside yard waste service, how will it work?
Curbside yard waste collection of yard waste/paper bags will discontinue in October, unless you opt-in to this service for a $6 monthly fee ($72 for the full year). Those opting in will receive a 64/68 gallon cart for this purpose, which allows grass, leaves and sticks to be intermixed without the need for paper yard waste bags. The fee is charged year-round to minimize administrative and cart delivery/pick-up expenses. It also gives us some flexibility to extend the service window at times when we may see a mild winter or early spring.

What considerations were made when determining the service fees?
This initiative touches on three focus areas outlined in the City of Marion’s Strategic Plan: sustainable infrastructure, efficient and effective government and employee safety. The garbage/recycling rate is reflective of tonnage rate increases from the Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency, large capital investments (new trucks, automated collection carts) and implementation of the automated collection program. Additionally, after a thorough rate analysis, it was found that operating expenses had surpassed the rate being charged.

Don’t my property taxes pay for this?
No. Curbside garbage, recycling and yard waste collection is a separate service that is supported by service fees. This is referred to as an enterprise fund, which means the rates charged must cover the cost of providing the service. They are not subsidized by property taxes; they are provided as a fee for service.

The utility bill, received every other month, includes fees for six utility funds:

• water consumption and well maintenance
• garbage, recycling and yard waste collection
• sanitary sewer replacement
• sewer treatment
• urban forestry tree maintenance
• stormwater sewer maintenance

Can I opt-out of all curbside collection of garbage, recycling and yard waste?
No, we will not be offering a total opt-out option. Our citywide municipal service takes advantage of the economies of scale the City can offer. Hypothetically, under a total opt-out scenario and assuming a need to take your garbage to the landfill on a weekly basis, you would pay $15 per drop-off, ($60 per month or $120 per two-month billing cycle) based on current landfill fees.

Residents can choose not to participate in the yard waste program and take their yard waste to the Yard Waste Drop-Off Facility for no additional fee.

What are the cart delivery fees?
Residents will not be charged a cart delivery fee as part of the initial program roll out or within the first 90 days. After that, City staff will swap carts for a $75 fee. Alternatively, residents will be allowed to drop off/pick up carts at the Public Services Facility for a $50 fee.

What if I generate more garbage per week than I can put in one garbage cart?
The extra bag tag program will not go away, however, residents will be limited to one extra stickered bag per week that should be placed on top of the garbage cart. Households consistently using more than a single cart will have the option to add one additional garbage cart for an additional monthly fee of $7.50.

Is the process or pricing for special collections changing?
No. The Public Services Department will continue to offer special pick-ups for both garbage and yard waste. This can be a viable option for those only needing occasional curbside service for bulky items or brush and tree debris. Special pick-ups can be scheduled and pre-paid by calling the Public Services Department. That fee remains the same at $40 per 15 minutes of staff collection time.

Will glass be recycled at the curb with the new program?
No. Residents should NOT put glass in their recycling bin as it can contaminate an entire load. It can be placed in the garbage or taken to the Recycling Drop-Off Facility at 195 35^th Street in Marion or the Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency on County Home Road.

Why won’t you pick up glass at the curb? 
Glass is recycled differently from your usual curbside recycling and becomes very dangerous when co-mingled with other recyclable material. As the project team looked into this as an option, there were a few modifications to equipment that would have been required, resulting in additional costs to the program. Furthermore, through conversations with comparable communities, our project team learned that some are exploring eliminating this curbside service. Glass recycling will continue to be offered free of charge at the City’s Recycling Drop-Off Facility on 35^th Street or at the Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency on County Home Road.

Will the hours of the Recycling Drop-Off Facility change?
Not at this time. The Recycling Drop-Off Facility at 195 35^th Street will continue to be open for Marion residents from noon-5:45 p.m. on Tuesdays and 8 a.m.-4:15 p.m. on Saturdays. With residents having access to the larger curbside carts, we hope to gain a better understanding of usage patterns after the automated collection program is in place.

What about leaves? Do you plan to add curbside leaf collection as part of this program?
You are welcome to rake or mulch/mow over your leaves and place them in your yard waste bin. Additional yard waste bins can also be purchased (no limit) for $10 per month per cart. At this time Marion does not have plans to implement a loose leaf vacuum collection program, but will likely consider that at some point in the future.

Will my garbage collection day change?
It could. As the program is developed, routes will be evaluated and modified to achieve even distribution and maximize efficiency. Advanced notification will be provided to impacted households via mail.

When I move, do I take my carts with me?
No. Residents should leave the City-issued cart, in clean condition, with the home. If you are moving to a different address in the City limits, there will be a cart there when you arrive. If you purchase an additional cart from the City, please contact the Public Services Department so they can move the cart you purchased to the new address.

What should I do with my old receptacles? 
Residents are encouraged to repurpose their old containers whenever possible. Possible uses include storage for yard and garden equipment, compost, rainwater collection, storage for pet supplies, sports equipment or firewood. As we get closer to rolling out the new carts and once we fully transition to automated collection, the City will share additional options for collecting/disposing of old containers.

What if I am physically unable to wheel a cart to the curb?
If there is a physical or medical reason, special accommodations can be made by calling the Public Services Department at 319-377-6367. This requires staff approval in alignment with the regulations established in the City code.

Where can I learn more?
Find FAQs and learn more about the process at www.cityofmarion.org/automatedcollection. Contact us at automatedcollection@cityofmarion.org or call 319-377-6367 or 319-200-1272 with specific questions.