Updated October 30, 2023
NOTICE: The vendor who is delivering the new trash carts is moving so quickly that most carts will be delivered to City trash customers by November 2, 2023. Customers are asked to move your new cart off the curb now. You are asked to put your old cart, with your current household trash, out on your regular pick up day this week. Your trash and your old cart will be removed this week. Your new cart is for next week’s trash pickup, please.
FAQ's on the new trash carts:
Why is the City replacing all of the trash roll-out carts?
The original carts were issued in 2014 and they are aged and wearing out. Also, Public Works was not able to accurately track when carts would go missing, be destroyed, or be relocated out of the City when residents moved away. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) refers to a wireless system comprised of two components: tags and readers. The new RFID tagged roll-out carts offer efficient tracking of inventory, which will result in fewer City containers, greater cost-savings and improved stewardship of resources in Fredericksburg. For example, the City has paid $28,000 in replacement carts since 2017. With this new inventory system, Public Works will be able to recover much of those replacement costs by charging customers for missing or destroyed carts. Based on current inventory methods, the City wasn’t able to charge to recover these costs before now.
Are the City’s recycling carts being replaced?
No, not at this time.
How many customers are affected by this cart exchange?
About 4,000 City refuse customers who currently have roll-out carts will be receiving the new carts.
Do I have to pay for the new cart?
No, a replacement cart is provided to existing customers at no fee. A new customer that does not have a new cart will also receive one at no fee. Refuse customers are required to return a cart when discontinuing service. If a cart is damaged due to customer mistreatment, you will be charged for a replacement cart. If a customer discontinues City trash service and fails to return the City’s cart, a service fee will be charged.
Why are the carts microchipped?
RFID is a modern, widely-accepted method for accurate inventory control. Public Works will be able to account for households that have roll-out carts, that will help the City track replacement requests, as well as charge customers for carts that are damaged or missing. The carts do not have GPS and Public Works will not be tracking the carts’ locations. An RFID microchip in a roll-out cart will only enable Public Works to identify which cart should be at which address, as well as keeping more accurate cart inventory as well.
What size are the new carts?
They are a 96 gallon roll-out cart, which will hold approximately 10 bags of trash.
Why can’t I have a smaller roll-out cart for my small space?
96 gallon roll-out carts are the only size available for City trash roll-out cart service.
What if my old cart still works well?
The majority of the trash roll-out carts being replaced are 9 years old and are in need of replacement. With the new RFID microchipping inventory, Public Works will be able to more accurately track and replace aging carts in the future.
How much is this cart replacement costing the City?
A new cart costs about $70. The total cart replacement program for 4,000 customers will cost approximately $276,000, and is already approved in the current Fiscal Year 2024 budget. This funding was sourced 100% through the Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) resources provided to the City of Fredericksburg.
What is the City doing with all of the old roll-out carts?
Plans are to remove the old City seal from the old carts prior to surplus disposition – after which they will be re-distributed for private reuse elsewhere, resale or may be recycled, depending on their condition.
What if I can’t move or carry the new cart due to my age/health?
Disability Service Exemptions to the requirement for placement of carts at the curb for collection will be granted for those for whom this requirement would present an undue physical burden. Persons desiring to obtain such an exemption may send an email to Public Works office at publicworks@fredericksburgva.gov or call the Public Works Office at 540- 372-1023 during normal business hours. (The Public Works office is open 8:00am-4:30pm Monday – Friday.)
When will my old cart be picked up?
City crews will pick up your old trash cart this week, on your regular trash pickup day. Please use your old cart for trash pickup this week. If your old cart has not been picked up by Monday, November 6th, please contact Public Works.
For more information please visit www.fredericksburgva.gov/459/Public-Works or call: 540-372-1023.
Link to PDF of FAQ's (PDF) here.
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Updated October 20, 2023
The Fredericksburg Public Works Department is upgrading the carts being used by City of Fredericksburg trash customers. The new carts have the FXBG logo stamped on the side and are microchipped for location and inventory control.
Customers should expect the new carts to arrive on their normal weekly trash collection day. Deliveries will begin with Monday customers on October 30th. Here is what we are asking customers to know and how they can help with a smooth cart trade out:
- Place your old cart out for regular collection to be emptied by the regular compactor truck crew.
- A different city truck will follow and remove the old cart after it has been emptied.
- New carts will be delivered by the cart manufacturer in a separate delivery.
Due to collection, removal, and delivery variables, the new cart may arrive before the old cart is emptied and/or removed. Customers are asked to leave old carts on the curb for removal. When your new cart arrives, please store it off the curb and use for all future collections.
Customers may call the Public Works Department at 540-372-1023 to report any issues with the cart exchange.