For the City Times

The City of Wisconsin Rapids will deliver the wheeled recycling carts for its new automated single­stream recycling program beginning Friday,

Dec. 9, through Friday, Dec. 16, 2016, carts will be left at the curb, and homeowners will be responsible for bringing them to the house.

Homeowners who will be away next week should make arrangements with a neighbor, friend or family member to take their carts to the house. Otherwise, homeowners are urged to call the City Garage at 715-421-8218 to make alternative arrangements.

Each recycling cart includes a serial number and embedded bar code that identifies with the property address. Carts are the property of the City of Wisconsin Rapids and must remain at the delivered address.

New recycling carts set for use for the new single-streaming automated system. (Courtesy: City of Wisconsin Rapids)

The City currently plans to implement its automated single­stream recycling program beginning Jan. 9, 2017. A definitive start date will be revealed in the near future. In the meantime, homeowners should not place the carts at the curb for recycling pick-up.

Points to remember:

• Recycling Collection: The recycling collection will remain on a bi-weekly schedule on the normal day. All recyclable items shall be co-mingled and placed inside the new recycling cart. The blue bins previously used will no longer be acceptable (they are recyclable if homeowners choose to dispose of them).

• Garbage Collection: Garbage collection will remain unchanged. Garbage cans should be 32 gallons or less. No garbage should be placed in the recycling cart.

This information will also be available after December 12, on the City’s website at www.wirapids.org, and at Wisconsin Rapids Community Media. These media outlets will also offer an instructional video for residents to view.

Residents who require more information about the new automated single-stream recycling collection should call the City Street Department at 715-421-8218.