Automated Garbage Trucks

The City of Charleston is transitioning to automated garbage trucks for garbage collection. The transition will take place in phases. See the documents below to locate the addresses that will be impacted in phase one. 

Cart Placement Tips

How Automated Trucks Work

The garbage trucks feature an automated arm which comes out from the vehicle, grabs around the outside of the cart, dumps its contents into the garbage truck and then replaces the cart at the curb. The driver does not need to exit the vehicle.

Garbage Cart Requirements

Follow these requirements when placing your garbage cart:

  • All Charleston residents are required to use a City issued garbage cart. Residents must follow specific guidelines to ensure that their garbage is collected.
  • Placement of the cart must be near the apron at the end of the driveway away from mailboxes, trees, utility pedestals, gas meters, water meters, fire hydrants or other containers such as recycling bins, yard waste bags and other carts.
  • Carts must be 3 to 4 feet from the mailbox and 2 feet from recycling bins. The automated mechanical arm on the garbage truck needs the clearance space in order to grab the sides of the cart.
  • The cart lid must be closed completely, otherwise the cart could be damaged during pickup. Any overloaded carts with a partially or fully opened lid may cause collection problems. Partially opened lids may fly open spilling garbage on the street or hit a utility line.
  • If cars are parked on the street during the day, carts should be left on the driveway with a minimum of six feet of clearance from a vehicle. Public Service officials acknowledge that this requirement will slightly inconvenience affected residents but it will ensure that access is available to the cart.
  • The new placement of the carts is mandatory and garbage cannot be collected if these requirements are not followed.

Automated Truck Benefits

Benefits of using the automated garbage trucks include:

  • Improving the efficiency of trash collection by maximizing the number of carts collected each day.
  • Delaying the need for additional personnel and trucks.
  • Using the current carts mandated for City residents.
  • Reduction of the risk of injury to the drivers who have been hurt in the past during garbage collection by needles and heavy objects.

Street Locations - Phase One