A new fleet of trucks now automates the collection of recyclables and garbage at single-family homes in San José. These split-body trucks have two compartments that are completely separated by a metal barrier. By using the controls inside the cab, the truck driver manuevers a hydraulic “arm” to lift and empty the contents of your recycling cart into one compartment.

Then the driver shifts the controls and raises your garbage cart to the same place above the truck. Your garbage drops into the other compartment. This new automated collection system is very efficient. It enables one driver to collect both the recyclables and garbage in front of your home without leaving the truck. (Except to position extra recyclables or garbage bags labeled with extra garbage stickers into empty carts for another lift by the automated arm.)

By making recycling easy for you, the Recycle Plus program hopes to capture everything that is recyclable from San José homes. All you need to do is keep garbage and recyclables separate. Put garbage in your garbage cart and recyclables in your recycling cart. Then place them 2 feet apart by curbside on your collection day. This distance gives the truck the clearance it needs to move between the carts.

Recycling and garbage are never mixed. Garbage is taken to the landfill. Recyclables go to a state-of-the art Materials Recovery Facility for further sorting.

The new fleet of split-body trucks is efficient in more ways than one. Fewer collection vehicles are on the road, which means less traffic in your neighborhood. Plus, for better air quality these trucks run on cleaner alternative fuels, such as biodiesel — a cleaner-burning fuel made from soy and other grains, cooking oil and sewer grease — and by PuriNOX — a diesel blend that reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by 14% and particulate matter by 63%.