Reporter ISSAQUAH | SAMMAMISH
Friday, July 6, 2012
www.issaquahreporter.com
Garden no more Council decides against Beaver Lake community garden location BY KEVIN ENDEJAN
Cleanscapes Garbage Hauler Kevin Watson loads a recycle bin July 1. The new technology in the trucks will help haulers misseven fewer pickups
KENDEJAN@ISSAQUAHREPORTER.COM
CELESTE GRACEY, Issaquah & Sammamish Reporter
CLEAN CHANGES
Issaquah’s new garbage hauler promises fewer missed cans, better service BY CELESTE GRACEY CGRACEY@ISSAQUAHREPORTER.COM
A
s the mechanical arm on the garbage truck shakes a can overhead, the 25ton dumper jostles like a red wagon rolling down a rocky hill. Rodney Watkins, who has been a hauler for 10 years, checks a camera monitor to see if can is empty. A few more bangs and the arm lowers the bin to the curb. Technology has completely changed garbage collection in the past five years, and Cleanscapes is leading the way, he says. Issaquah switched its garbage hauler from Waste Management to Cleanscapes July 1. While cheaper rates and rebranded cans are a certainty for residents, the company says locals will also find unmatched customer service. Practically, that means fewer missed cans,
Cleanscapes Storefront In addition to its phone services, Cleanscapes plans to open a storefront at Gilman Village where customers can make changes to their plan, dump hard to recycle items and buy trash-reducing ware. The first of its kind, it expects to open sometime this month. 317 NW Gilman Blvd, #22, Issaquah For more information, customer service can also be reached at 425-837-1234 or store@cleanscapes.com. said John Taylor, a Cleanscapes spokesperson. A different hauler in Seattle missed 300400 cans a week. When Cleanscapes took that same route, it only missed about 10, he said. The accuracy is in the technology. The com-
pany uses a geography information system to mark exactly where customers place their cans. If a driver misses one, they will see it on their computer route maps, which look much like a large car GPS. If haulers skips a can, because it’s not out or a bear got to it first – wildlife had scattered trash from a couple cans in Talus on Monday – they can easily mark down the reason. The trucks are also fitted with a number of cameras, which look not only into the trash compactor, but around the truck for safety. The cameras also prove useful for any disputes, including car accidents or whether the customer really put their can out in time. On Talus, Watkins set down his last can and the truck lurched forward with a whine similar to a wind-up toy. He laughed, saying he didn’t even have to put his foot on the gas.
640789
For Money Saving Coupons Log on to
www.IssaquahReporter.com
SEE GARBAGE, 7
Plans to build Sammamish’s first community garden at Beaver Lake Park are no more. The City Council voted June 5 to stop spending money on the site, instructing city staff to come back with proposals to two other sites, the Lower Commons or Southeast Eighth Street Park. Prompted by a presentation from the Sammamish Community Garden Steering Committee, the Council decided it would be best to explore other options. “I commend you for stepping up and reaching out to us,” said John James, deputy mayor. “Oftentimes when the wheels of the bus get turning it’s easy to go along with it.” The steering committee raised its concerns with various aspects of the Beaver Lake site. Member Ann Precup highlighted several issues, including power lines that run SEE GARDEN, 3
GET OUR FREE MOBILE APP Receive local news on your mobile device today!
www.facebook.com/ IssaquahReporter For Advertising Call 425.391.0363 Today!