Waste Connections pitches automated carts and real-time tracking as Saginaw readies 2026 contract renewal

At a Saginaw City Council meeting, Abel Moreno, North Texas municipal manager for Waste Connections, told council members the city’s current trash contract — extended last year — expires in November 2026 and that now is the time to evaluate service options.

The company proposed moving from rear-load, ‘take-all’ pickup to automated, carted collection to improve safety, staffing and aesthetics. "We're proposing moving to automated trash service twice a week with a 95 gallon cart," said Zach McPherson, district manager, describing the service-level model the company would recommend. McPherson added automated recycling collection would be every other week with a 95‑gallon cart as the baseline and 65‑gallon carts available as smaller options.

Why it matters: Waste Connections said the change would reduce worker safety risks — McPherson reported multiple incidents in which employees were injured by needles or sharp objects while handling bags — and make routes easier to staff as rear-load helper positions become harder to fill. The company said it would supply trucks and carts at no upfront cost to residents or the city, and that carts typically carry a manufacturer warranty (the company referenced a 10‑year equipment warranty cycle used in vendor materials).

Supporting details: Abel Moreno described technology the company calls MapGears to provide real-time route notifications and ETAs; he also said the company is exploring camera/AI tools to identify recurring commercial overflow problems and work with businesses to right-size dumpsters or increase collection frequency. Moreno said the company would initially prioritize education and outreach; if noncompliance continued, the company could impose penalties under terms to be negotiated with the city. "It would be us," Moreno said, when asked who would collect any fine, adding the company would first meet with businesses and seek voluntary compliance.

Council members pressed for numbers and clarified resident options. McPherson said many Saginaw households already have containers similar to company carts and that cart procurement typically takes about four to eight weeks after approval. He described a common 30‑day adjustment period during rollouts, after which residents could request a different cart size or an additional unit for a discounted fee. On the question of extra trash bags at the curb, McPherson said bagged, nonhazardous material would continue to be collected under reasonable limits and that crews often use tag-and-notify practices as a courtesy before escalating enforcement.

Workforce and transition: The company acknowledged helper positions would be affected if the city moves away from rear-load service. McPherson and Moreno described company programs that train helpers for commercial driver roles (CDL training) and said the company often attempts to retain employees through retraining or relocation within the company.

What’s next: Council took no action on the presentation. McPherson said the company expected to have firm pricing in about a week and agreed to return to council in the first quarter with detailed costs and a formal proposal ahead of the November 2026 contract expiration.