GR launches Pay As You Throw

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The city of Grand Rapids has launched its Pay As You Throw Smart Cart Refuse Program.

If the city picks up your garbage you'll no longer pay a flat fee. You will now pay based on the size of your trash cart and how often you put it to the curb.

A 32-gallon cart will cost $2 per pick-up, a 64-gallon cart will cost $4 and the 96-gallon cart will cost $6.

It's up to you whether you want weekly pick-ups or fewer pick-ups.

"If you're on vacation and again you just don't have enough refuse this week because you had a great recycling week, you don't have to put your cart out," Grand Rapids City Manager Greg Sundstrom said.

If you've been pre-paying a flat quarterly fee,  you won't be able to anymore with the new program.

If you want to continue using city trash bags, you'll have to pay more. The trash bags will go up in price from $1.50 to $2.50 starting in November.

If you don't have a cart you can get one for free from the city.

"If you currently  already have a cart we have installed an RFID chip on your cart so your cart's all set to go," Sundstrom said.

You have to activate your account online, over the phone or in person.

You can do so by clicking here or call (616) 456-3232 or visit the Public Services Department at 201 Market SW.

Now if you've pre-paid for your service through the end of month, don't worry. That money can be transferred to your new Pay As You Throw account.

Each time your cart is emptied your pre-paid, Pay As You Throw account will be charged.

You will not receive a bill. You'll have to manage your account yourself either online or by calling (616) 456-3232.

You'll also notice some changes coming to your trash trucks, mechanical arms will now grab the carts, keeping the drivers in the truck.

"Up until now the city has been spending nearly a quarter-of-a-million dollars a year on worker's compensation claims just from our refuse drivers," Sundstrom said. "It's a very dangerous job."