A printable copy of these instructions is available (PDF, 2MB).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every home in Fredville have carts?
Yes. Every single-family home has cart service.
What is my collection day?
Your trash and recycling day depends on your neighborhood. Look it up on What's my trash day?
How often are carts collected?
Trash is picked up once a week. Recycling is picked up every other week, on the same day as your trash, in Week A or Week B. When a holiday falls on a weekday, pickups move one day later; see the holiday schedule.
How many carts does each home receive?
Every household gets two 95-gallon carts: one for garbage and one for recycling.
Can I get an extra garbage cart, and does it cost more?
Yes. Extra garbage or recycling carts are available for an added monthly fee for each cart.
What if the carts are too large or heavy for me?
You may ask to swap for a smaller 65-gallon cart. Residents with disabilities can apply for assisted collection at no extra charge.
Will I be charged for the carts?
No. The first set of carts delivered to your home is covered by your regular monthly fee.
Will my garbage bill go up because of the carts?
The carts themselves do not raise your bill, but scheduled rate increases still apply. In February 2026, residential, commercial and industrial garbage rates rise by 4.5 percent, and each October the hauler's rate goes up by approximately 3.5 percent.
Is alley collection changing?
No. Homes with alley pickup will keep it.
How do I get rid of furniture, appliances or other large items?
Bulky items and brush are picked up once a month on your regular trash day, up to 4 cubic yards per pickup. Your week is listed on What's my trash day?, and the limits are on the bulky waste page.
Can I leave extra bags next to my cart?
No. Only trash that is inside the cart will be collected.
My street is narrow and lined with parked cars. How will the truck reach my cart?
Residents will receive instructions in English and Spanish showing where to set out their carts, and it will be important to leave room for carts along the curb. Cardinal Waste Services will also run a truck designed for narrow streets.
My carts never arrived. What should I do?
Carts go to every home with an active garbage account. If yours are missing, see the Garbage and Recycling Cart Service page or call Fredville 311 at (555) 010-0311.
What happens to the workers on the trucks?
We know residents care about these jobs. Roughly 60 percent of the helpers who ride on the backs of the trucks are temporary workers. Many are still needed, because some routes still run with retrofitted trucks. As automated side-loader trucks are phased in around the city, permanent employees will move into other positions, where their experience and skills will still be put to good use.
Didn't residents vote against this?
Cart service has never appeared on a ballot. An earlier community survey mailed to every Fredville household showed residents almost evenly split. Since then, the city's franchise hauler has been moving away from collecting bagged trash at the curb, mostly because of the dangers to workers who ride on the backs of trucks. Dog bites, needle sticks, punishing summer heat and winter cold have made that kind of work increasingly risky for the people who do it.
Did the city look at other haulers?
Yes, the city weighed its choices carefully. Cardinal Waste Services, the current hauler, has a strong track record for service quality and customer satisfaction. Given that record, the city is comfortable staying with the same company as it moves to a safer, cleaner way of collecting trash.
Setting Out Your Carts
- Keep the lid closed, with the opening facing the street, and make sure nothing blocks the cart.
- Set garbage carts, recycling carts and bulky items in your collection area with at least 3 feet between each one.
- Leave at least 3 feet between carts and mailboxes, gas meters, fences, parked vehicles, low-hanging obstructions and similar objects.
- Keep 16 feet of clear space overhead and place carts as close as you can to the curb or alley. Avoid setting them under trees or power lines.
- Do not block a street or alley right-of-way, a water or gas meter, a drainage ditch, a sidewalk, or the sight triangle at an intersection.
Fredville is a demonstration city built by Talk to Fred. Names, numbers and details on this page are sample content.