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Cart Assembly and Distribution Today: A Perspective from Madison, WI. (June, 2008)
Introducing thousands of recycling and/or refuse carts into a community can present massive challenges - and significant opportunities - for cities of all sizes. ? ?LOS ANGELES, CA -- Diverse cities across the nation are finding themselves in a similar predicament, how to roll out thousands of recycling and/or refuse carts into their community in a timely, efficient and professional manner. ? ?In the past, many cities considered assembly and distribution of roll out carts a basic service that any sub-contractor could provide. However, experience shows that seemingly simple issues can quickly take on a life of their own as everyone points fingers at each other for not taking responsibility for mistakes - all while costly delays rack up. ? ?If your city is considering a one-time roll out or replacement of new carts to your community, following are some words of wisdom gained from the hard earned experience only the streets can teach. ? ?
Madison, Wisconsin (Population: 203,704)?"We had to build our cart delivery lists from scratch. We had no idea who our customers were. We would just pick up whatever was at the curb paying no attention to addresses. Our first step was to get a handle on who our actual customers were and identify their addresses."?-George Dreckmann, Recycling Coordinator, City of Madison ? ?Some cities may not have this obstacle but it was a necessary first step for Madison. With help from Rehrig Pacific's assembly and distribution team to understand the complexities of the roll out and the customer information needed, the City assigned staff to go into the field with the assembly and distribution team so that they were immediately available when questions arose. They also provided clarification and direction to the assembly and distribution team when needed based on their unique insights of the neighborhoods and its residents. ? ?Cart delivery lists were developed from the newly created customer lists. Since the City delivered recycling carts first, it allowed for the lists to be refined and updated. As a result of these efforts, "the City's billing lists are in better shape because we were able to identify the customers," stated George. ? ?Residents had their choice of cart sizes and a coordinated mailing was sent using the newly created customer list. Each mailer had a bar code affixed so when it was returned it could be easily scanned to tabulate the resident's choices. "The bar code really helped out the process of managing the returned mailers," added George. "Then we coordinated the list of customers and their addresses with their cart choices to provide the assembly and distribution team with color coded delivery maps that indicated specific customers and their cart choices." ? ?The City was also able to distribute information on recycling programs with the carts. "Rehrig Pacific was able to do it all and they were really good at it. We could have hired subs but we needed people that clearly knew what they were doing. Rehrig Pacific brought quality people to the table and their expertise lessened the anxiety associated with meeting key goals." ? ?
Control is Key ?"The key to a successful assembly and distribution program is control and customer satisfaction," states Jack Weber, Municipal Sales Manager at Rehrig Pacific. "Sub-contracted assembly and distribution programs can be subject to delays caused by various reasons that are out of the cart vendor's control including strikes, safety and equipment issues and financial stability." ? ?"If residents do not receive their carts in a timely and professional manner, the overall success of the new collection program could be jeopardized," Jack continued. "Upset residents are typically the people who don't buy into the new program. Utilizing a fully insured workforce of Rehrig Pacific employees and company-owned equipment, our assembly and distribution programs are ensured to start on time. The fact that we perform these deliveries with fully maintained and insured trucks and trailers also gives our customers some comfort and relief from a liability standpoint."
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