PICK UP DATE SCHEDULE  

The Town Board voted on October 17, 2017, to switch to automated collection for refuse and recycling. Automated collection is not a new concept in public works. In fact, there are a number of communities in the area that have the same collection method for safety and efficiency reasons.

2025 SCHEDULE

2026 Printable Schedule

NOTICE: If the holiday falls on the weekend, your normal garbage day should not be affected.

Why does the same truck collect both garbage and recycling?

GFL uses a Split Body truck to collect both garbage and recycling. These trucks are split into 2 separate, sealed sections - one for trash and one for recycling. Inside the collection chamber of the truck (the area where the carts are emptied into), there is a steel door that pivots from one side to the other, depending on which material the driver is dumping. The rear of the truck is equipped with 2 separate tailgates so the driver can open the garbage side and dump it at the landfill or open the recycling side and dump it at the recycling center. 

• Using a Split Body truck is a more efficient way to collect the trash and recycling since there is only one truck sent out to accomplish two tasks.  
• Less wear and tear is seen on the Town roads with having only one truck out for collection.
• Not all communities in Outagamie County have the option to utilize a Split Body truck like the Town of Buchanan does.

What is automated trash and recycling collection?

Automated pickup is the most advanced collection system available today.  Automated collection is a system where waste is placed in a cart then emptied using a mechanical arm on the collection vehicle, instead of workers lifting and emptying cans or bags by hand.  Automated collection service involves waste being picked up by one single driver per truck.

How will residential automated collection services work?

Each home will be supplied with one garbage and one recycling collection cart on wheels.  Carts would be set out the night before your collection day. Residents must ensure that the carts are set out in their proper location roadside and accessible by the automated collection vehicles.

Why change from the existing manual trash collection system?

Studies have found the automated collection system compared with the manual collection systems provide a safe and more attractive neighborhood and create a safe and healthy work environment for collection laborers.  Due to the design of the cart, residents will find that they have less litter, odor and pest problems because the durable lid always remains on the cart.  Also, automated carts are convenient, easy to roll, and extremely durable. 

Benefits of Automated Collection

Residents:

• Reduction in litter.
• Reduced rodent and pest problems.
• Eliminates the need for multiple trash cans and recycling bins.
• No lifted heavy bags or cans.
• Lids are attached to bins and will not blow away after collection.

Collection Workers:

• Reduces the potential for workplace injury.
• Increased efficiency allows more to be done in one shift.

Environment:

• Automated carts encourage more recycling; thus reducing amount of landfill waste.
• Reduction in waste going to landfill reduces the volume of greenhouse gases produced.
• Less collection truck traffic placing heavy loads on local streets.

PLEASE NOTE: When your garbage day falls within the week of a holiday, everyone who normally has their pick-up on that holiday, and everyone after the holiday during that week, will be delayed one day for pick-up.

IF YOUR GARBAGE OR RECYCLING IS NOT PICKED UP PLEASE CALL AND CHECK THE REASON WHY WITH GFL ENVIRONMENTAL AT: 
1-920-687-2631

Buchanan uses Single Stream Recycling. This means that all recycling can be placed in one recycling container (paper, cardboard, aluminum, tin, plastic and glass may now be mixed together).

GFL Garbage & Recycling Automation Collection Guidelines

All Households are required to participate in the automated collection program. Properties are issued one refuse and one recycling cart that must be used for your weekly trash pickup and bi-weekly recycling pickup; personal carts will not be emptied. Carts should be set out the night before your collection day or by 6:00am on your collection day. Residents must ensure that the carts are set out in their proper location roadside and accessible by the automated collection vehicles. Automated collection trucks are equipped with specially designed arms that grasp, lift, and empty the refuse or recycling carts. Trash or recyclables outside of the automated container will not be collected.

 Participation in Automated Refuse/Recycling Collection is mandatory and easy. Please refer to the following guidelines:

1. Fill your automated container with only household trash (black cart with black lid) or recyclables (black cart with blue lid). Please bag your trash before placing in the container to reduce litter, to keep the container clean, and to prevent spilling. Recyclables do not need to be sorted and should not be bagged within the cart. Cardboard should be broken down or cut into pieces no larger than 2' x 2', then placed in with all other recycling.  Recycling is mandatory and if it is mixed with regular trash, it can be refused to be picked up.
   
   
2. Lids must be closed to ensure collection and so items stay in cart while being tipped into the truck.
   
   
3. Your garbage/recycling must be out by 6:00am on your collection day.  It may not be collected if containers are placed out after 6:00 a.m. on your collection day.
   
   
4. Set your automated cart at the curbside or point of collection on the same side of the street but on opposite sides of the driveway, wheels and handle facing your home. Make sure your containers are at least three feet apart and ten feet from property that could be damaged including parked cars, mailboxes, fences, street lights, electrical poles and trees, and away from over-head wires or any other structures so that the automated collection truck can pick up your containers.
   
   
5. The Town will not collect auto parts, chemicals, construction materials, dirt, electronics, hazardous waste, hot ashes or coals, paint, motor oil, or rocks.
   
   
6. State law prohibits residents from disposing aluminum cans, appliances, CD players, cell phones, computers (along with mice, keyboards, monitors, and other accessories), corrugated cardboard, DVD players, fax machines, glass bottles and jars, lead acid batteries, magazines, motor oil, newspapers, office paper, plastic containers, printers, steel (tin) cans, televisions, tires, VCR's, and yard waste into their regular refuse.

For further information on waste services offered by the Town please see one of the sub-pages to the left.  If you have any questions, please call the Town of Buchanan at 920-734-8599 or GFL Environmental toll free at: (920) 687-2631.