In an effort to boost diversion by 1,300 tonnes, the City of Guelph extended collection services to additional multi-residential properties. They elected to use Front End Loading (FEL) trucks equipped with Curottto Cans, in order to keep costs contained.
What are Curotto Cans? Glad you asked… let’s dive in.
A Curotto Can is a mounted automated hopper that fits on to the front forks of an FEL truck.
An automated arm extends off the side of the hopper where it can grab a cart, lift it, and empty it into the Curotto Can. The process is similar to how an automated arm extends from a side loading truck.
Three reasons why the City of Guelph introduced Curotto Cans to their fleet
1. Fewer Trucks
FEL trucks allow for pick up from routes that use both carts and FEL bins. The Curotto Can unit can be installed for routes that service 95-gallon carts and then removed for routes where FEL bins are used. The multi purposing of one vehicle for two types of collection runs means fewer trucks and drivers are required. This can reduce capital and operating costs while increasing utilization of trucks (i.e., trucks are rarely out of use during collection hours).
2. Greater Carrying Capacity
The Curotto Can system mounts ahead of the cab, leaving space that can be used for carrying capacity. More carrying capacity means more service stops and fewer trips to the MRF to off load.
Video: Watch Guelph drivers collect 95-gallon carts using a Curotto Can
3. Contamination Detection
The Curotto Can enables drivers to more actively assist in contamination reduction on routes where carts are used because drivers can visually monitor what is being emptied into the hopper. Unwanted items can be a) removed by the driver, tagged and put directly back at the curb for residents to dispose of properly and, or b) tracked for follow up with by-law enforcement (see Figure 2, for level of detail that can be logged). This level of monitoring for cart based collection is not possible with automated side loading vehicles.
Advice from the City of Guelph
Plan ahead…plan ahead…plan ahead! Allow for 18 months to 2 years, to ensure enough time for all the pieces to come together.
| Curotto Can Implementation Milestones | Time Needed |
|---|---|
| Truck & Curotto Can Procurement | 3-6 months |
| Truck & Curotto Can Assembly/Manufacturing | 12 months |
| Mapping/Data Integration to GIS • Account for the use of the same truck on two types of routes (95-gallon carts & FEL bins) | 6 months |
| Driver Training • Negotiate turns in a longer vehicle • Empty hopper (avoid overhead wires) | 3-6 months |
Containers
If additional carts or FEL bins are needed, you’ll need to source and order containers early. Once containers arrive, they’ll need to be RFID tagged. Allow time for that.
Also, do not forget that if you’re building your container inventory, you’ll need to have adequate space to store them until needed and a way to deliver them to their respective sites.
Promotion & Education
If you’re going to make contamination abatement a priority, involve your communications team right out of the gates to ensure clear messaging to residents. Implement P&E early and often.
Budget
A Curotto Can package which includes quick releases, in cab controls, electronics, and a cart lifter can cost $200,000 (truck prices are separate). Prices vary, however, depending on items included and quantities purchased.