New garbage carts rolling out for Shank customers in Lower Burrell

Lower Burrell residents who use Shank Waste Service for garbage collection will have to make sure all of their trash fits into the new cans they’re getting — and they won’t be alone.

The Lower Burrell-based waste hauler is moving to automated collection, with garbage trucks that use a mechanical arm to grab trash cans and empty them into the truck.

The company plans to roll out the plan to other communities it serves soon.

Shank services about 25 communities, mostly in the Alle-Kiski Valley.

Nathan Book, general manager for Shank Waste Service, said a “good portion” of Lower Burrell customers have received their new carts and the remaining will be delivered within the next couple of weeks.

The carts are at no cost to customers and must be used.

“There’s a lot of advantages to carts,” Book said. “It helps us to have our routes become automated and take advantage of technology that trucks now have.”

With that technology, a garbage truck’s arm can grab a garbage cart and lift and tip the trash into the truck without the need for a person to pick up the cans.

“The truck takes care of dumping the trash,” Book said.

Book said the carts are heavy-duty and “are shaped and designed to hold up over time.”

The lids are sturdy and, Book said, the carts are less likely to blow over during high winds or storms.

The carts are either 65 or 95 gallons, depending on a customer’s plan.

Lower Burrell residents can choose their own garbage service. Book estimated a “couple thousand” residents in Lower Burrell use Shank.

The city only has a recycling contract with Waste Management.

Shank is a Lower Burrell-based business, which is why the company chose to roll out the carts there before expanding to other communities, Book said.

“Our goal is to have as many people utilize this as much as possible,” he said.