What are A2 Carts? A2 Carts are provided to all City residential curbside trash customers. The distribution of the A2 carts was completed, city-wide, by July 2005.
Why is the City of Ann Arbor moving into automated trash cart collection?
Carts are: EASIER: They roll to the curb. No dragging cans or bags. CLEANER: No loose lids or debris. Neighborhoods will look better. THRIFTIER: No cans for you to buy and A2 Carts are less expensive for the City to operate. Many communities across the country (including East Lansing, Detroit and Bowling Green, OH) have found the automated truck and cart combination has improved trash service and saved money.
What sizes of A2 Carts are available?
Three A2 Cart sizes are available. Costs for the 96-gallon carts are added to your water bill once/year.
- 32 Gallon (no charge; smallest size is not recommended by staff)
- 64 Gallon (no charge; default size)
- 96 Gallon upsize/replacement($35/year, for 1st cart)
- ADDITIONAL 96 Gallon ($68/year/each)
I’m unsure what size cart to select.
Consider how many bags or cans you usually set at the curb each week. The average Ann Arbor resident use to set out less than two cans per week. This amount easily fits into the 64 gallon cart. If you feel you need additional capacity, the 96-gallon cart is available for an extra annual charge. Additional 96 gallon carts cost are double the upsize price. A 32-gallon cart is also an option, but not recommended by staff as a year-round disposal option because the narrow design tends to trap bagged trash, especially in freezing weather. The smallest size is also more vulnerable to blowing over in the wind.
I’d like to see the cart sizes before making my decision.
These carts are in use city-wide and can be viewed during the normal weekly curbside collection day in all neighborhoods.
What should I do if sometimes I have more trash than fits into the trash cart? First try to recycle as much as you can. Half of our typical waste can be recycled or composted. Next, you may be able to save some "dry" trash until the next week, when your cart has more room. Surplus trash also may be taken to the Drop-Off Station, 971-7400, 2950 E. Ellsworth for pro-rated, for-fee disposal by the bag or cubic yard. If you consistently find that your cart is too small for your needs, contact Customer Service to subscribe to a larger cart or additional carts (listed below) . Please also refer to these guides: Recycling Guide; Bulky Bulky Item Disposal; and Reuse Options.
May I place put trash bags outside the cart?
No. All the benefits of improved community safety, appearance ,and collection efficiency are lost when trash is placed outside the cart.
Ann Arbor used to have a 33-gallon trash can size limit. Why are bigger cans offered now?
Ann Arbor is now using different trash collection trucks with automated arms to pick up specially designed trash carts. Other trashcans and even hardware-store large carts are not compatible with the automated cart system and are not accepted on cart routes for trash.
What are the weight limits for the trash carts?
The 64 gallon cart has a weight limit of 224 pounds. Other sized carts are pro-rated by size. Carts generally have a weight limit embossed on the cart lid.
How do I pay for my larger trash carts, if I choose one or more?
Generally the city will bill you annually as a special item on your water bill statement. Some customer locations will receive separate bills. The single 32 and 64-gallon cart sizes do not have an annual service fee.
I live in a duplex. Can I select my own size cart?
Each duplex unit is eligible to receive one 64-gallon cart and either unit may choose the larger cart and pay an annual upsized cart fee on their water bill, the same as single-family locations.
I live in an apartment or condominium. Do I choose the A2 cart size or does the site management handle that decision.
Please contact your management to see how they wish to handle ordering and paying for any additional A2 Carts. The city will provide carts to apartment locations with up to nine units that are eligible for curbside collection service. In the case of apartment buildings, the carts will be provided in multiples of the larger 96-gallon carts, with the total capacity to match the number of apartments. This strategy saves on-site storage space and increases truck efficiency. Apartments with ten or more units are generally required to provide dumpsters for trash collection.
I receive special trash pickup provided to disabled residents.
Disabled residents receiving pre-approved side-door pickups may use a 32 or 64-gallon cart to use for trash that is stored outdoors throughout the week. Phone the Customer Service Center for more information on the disabled assistance services (734) 994-2807.
Will I be able to change my cart size?
There is a $20 fee for cart exchanges or replacements beyond the initial free cart delivery and one exchange or replacement per address.
Do I have to be home when the cart is delivered?
No. There is no need to personally accept the cart.
More Qs? Contact customerservice@a2gov.org or phone (734) 994-2807.