Waste Management kerbside collection trucks ready to go in Waimakariri

With the arrival of three kerbside collection trucks, Waste Management is set to start its new collection contract with Waimakariri District Council on Monday 1 July.

A ribbon cutting was held to acknowledge the arrival of the trucks, and to celebrate the beginning of the expanded kerbside service in the Waimakariri District.

Waste Management South Island General Manager Gareth James says the team at Waste Management is very proud to be bringing the new expanded collection service to Waimakariri and is looking forward to working with the community from July.

Waimakariri District Council’s Solid and Hazardous Waste Portfolio holder Robbie Brine says, following a lot of preparation to get the service ready, the Council is pleased the time has come for it to officially start. “We’ve noted the excitement from the community during the lead up to the service starting. The arrival of the new trucks is a major milestone for the delivery of the Council’s kerbside collection services.”

The trucks have been purpose built to meet Council requirements, which included the need to reduce carbon emissions and improve safety.

Council’s Solid Waste Manager Kitty Waghorn says the trucks come with all the bells and whistles and will be a big improvement to those currently in use.

“The new organics and rubbish trucks both have a lift-arm and a bag-hoist which reduces the need for manual handling. They have low floor entry allowing safe entry and exit for the driver, and a walk-through cab so they don’t have to exit the truck into the live traffic lane when swapping from the driving to collecting position.”

The trucks will use GPS tracking, and six cameras are on-board to view potential hazards around the truck. Using the cameras, drivers can easily see materials dropping into the hopper. This will be captured by real-time video enabling the Council’s Customer Services Team to check where the trucks have driven and play back the camera views to investigate any collection issues reported.

Engines are EURO 6, which aim to reduce levels of harmful exhaust emissions. Nitrogen Oxide levels will be reduced by 50% compared to the EURO 5 which were previously in use.

The trucks share many features including electronic brakes with ABS and stability control, park brake door alarm, a cyclist approaching warning light, as well as directional reversing alarms that have the ability adjust the pitch based on the surroundings.

The three axle weighing system with dashboard display will show when the trucks are reaching their load limits. There is ajoystick control for the lift-arm and a touch control screen with visual alerts for the lift-arm.

To speed up the collection process, the organics truck will be able to help with bag collections and vice-versa.