CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — While the City of Corpus Christi has been working to make it easier for residents to use recycling bins, a pilot program now aims to take it even further and find a permanent solution to what has become an unsightly issue.
“In Corpus Christi, we fight the problem with wind all the time,” says David Lehfeldt, who is the Director of the city’s Solid Waste Services Department. “We sometimes have a recycle cart blow over and when that happens, everything goes down the street.”
However, this new initiative introduces a redesigned cart that will prevent refuse from spilling out.
Lehfeldt said that the innovative design of the recycling cart includes a pinch-release lid latch. This feature ensures the cart remains closed when upright or on its side. However, when turned completely upside down, a gravity lock release activates, allowing for easy emptying.
“When the truck picks the cart up and turns it upside down, there is a gravity-activated cam on the inside that allows the lid to open when it is in the upside-down position,” says Lehfeldt.
The city evenly distributed 200 of these latching lid carts among the five council districts. They were provided to residents who expressed interest in testing them for the next 90 days.
In the end, Lehfeldt said it could lead to a cleaner and more sustainable city.
“Once it becomes litter instead of recyclables, then it has a tendency to wash into the bay, and that’s another problem, trying to keep these things out of the bay so that we can keep the bay cleaner and more pristine.”
After 3 months, participants testing the carts will complete a survey, and their feedback will assist the city in planning its next steps.
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