The City of Marion is transitioning to automated curbside collection of garbage, recycling and yard waste this fall. It automates the process for collecting solid waste using a mechanical arm and heavy-duty standardized carts and creates a more sustainable, efficient and safer service.

The next step in the process is cart delivery. The City is contracting with Container Pros to deliver more than 32,000 carts.

Delivery is scheduled to begin today and is expected to take four weeks. The carts will be delivered in the right-of-way. The contractor is authorized to work 7 days a week between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.

The contractor is creating the delivery plan, so the City cannot accommodate special requests. Those who expect to be out of town between now and Oct. 9 are encouraged to ask neighbors, friends or family members to retrieve the carts and place them inside or adjacent to the home.

“Change can be both daunting and exciting,” said Deputy City Manager Kim Downs. “This is an initiative that touches nearly every Marion household. We recognize that our residents may have to adapt to a new way of doing things. We also ask for patience as our team learns new technology and transitions to a new process.”

There will be overlap between the time the new carts are delivered and when they can be used. Automated curbside collection will begin the week of Oct. 14, 2024. Residents will need to continue using their existing receptacles until then.

Disposal of Old Receptacles
The City is partnering with a vendor that can recycle the blue recycling bins. Plastic garbage and yard waste carts, while they may have a symbol, are not recyclable in Linn County. They can be cut up and placed in the new garbage carts or brought to one of the collection sites listed below.

Collection of old garbage, recycling and yard waste bins will take place after automated curbside collection begins in mid-October at the following locations:

Recycling Drop-Off Facility, 195 35^th Street

• Tuesdays, Oct. 15, 22 and 29 from noon-5:45 p.m.
• Saturdays, Oct. 19, 26 and Nov. 2 from 8 a.m.-4:15 p.m.

Former Library Lot, 1095 6^th Avenue

• Saturdays, Oct. 19 and 26 from 8 a.m.-noon

Residents can also repurpose or donate their old containers. Possible uses include storage for yard and garden equipment, compost, rainwater collection, storage for pet supplies, sports equipment or firewood.

Find additional information and learn more about the process at www.cityofmarion.org/automatedcollection or contact the Marion Public Works Department at (319) 377-6367.