Jupiter's new trash cans are enormous! Why? 5 things to know about trash pickup

Lianna Norman, Palm Beach Post
Jupiter will begin using trash bins in March 2023 that will allow for automated garbage pickup by Waste Management.
Jupiter will begin using trash bins in March 2023 that will allow for automated garbage pickup by Waste Management.

JUPITER — Town residents have started receiving big blue trash bins. They stand about as tall as an average adult’s rib cage and signal a change in the most basic of municipal services.

Waste Management provided the town with the super-sized, lift-top cans to accommodate its new automated trucks. The size of the cans is necessary for the new trucks’ automated arms to lift them and dispose of the contents inside them.

Jupiter’s town website has a list of FAQs for residents. Here’s a quick breakdown of the most important things to know about the new trash cans and what they mean for disposing refuse and recyclables.

How north county is growing:Another 500 luxury condos are coming to northern Palm Beach County

Car crashes in Jupiter:These 5 roads had the most wrecks during 2022.

Jupiter Medical Center:Five things to know about how the hospital is growing

1. These trash cans are so big. Should I put my recyclables in them?

No. Although the bins are large enough to hold a small child, they’re not for both trash and recycling. Residents will still need to use their current yellow (for paper) and blue (for metals, glass and plastic) recycling bins.

The same goes for yard waste. Lay it at the curb or put it in its own barrel.

The new trash bins are just for regular waste — the kind that goes in trash bags.

2. So what am I supposed to do with my old trash barrels?

The town is encouraging residents to repurpose their old trash bins into bins for yard waste. But anyone who wants to dispose of their old trash bin altogether can set them on the curb to be picked up on bulk collection day, which usually falls on a household's first collection day of the week.

To avoid confusion from Waste Management drivers, any bins being disposed of should have a note on top designating them as trash. Waste Management is working on a collection plan for the old trash bins and is looking into the possibility of recycling them, according to the town.

3. Is there a deadline for when I have to start using the big blue barrel?

This week. Waste Management's first scheduled trash pickup that will require residents to use their new trash cans is their first scheduled day in March.

Jupiter will begin using large trash bins in March 2023. The bins, far larger than a Home Depot "homer" bucket, will allow for automated garbage pickup by Waste Management.
Jupiter will begin using large trash bins in March 2023. The bins, far larger than a Home Depot "homer" bucket, will allow for automated garbage pickup by Waste Management.

4. Does the town of Jupiter want me to put my trash out less often? More information on pickup schedule

No. Even though the bins are bigger, residential trash pickup will still happen twice a week.

Residents can visit the town's sanitation collection zones map to find out what days they’re scheduled for garbage, bulk, yard waste and recycling pickups.

5. Who has the answers to all my other trash pickup questions?

Waste Management handles collection for the Town of Jupiter. They can be reached at (772) 546 -7700 or (800) 824-8472, or you may visit their website at wm.com.

Lianna Norman covers northern Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at lnorman@pbpost.com. You can follow her reporting on social media @LiannaNorman on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Trash pickup for Jupiter residents: What to know about big blue bins