Birmingham’s effort to modernize garbage pickup has begun, with the delivery of the first 20,000 new garbage cans being delivered to residents starting this month.

The city’s Department of Public Works has begun the first phase of delivery to residents, which will take place over the next four weeks, said city spokesman Rick Journey. The delivery of 100,000 garbage carts, all standardized 96-gallon containers, will be completed in 2023.

Residents who will receive carts in October and November will receive notification by mail either before or around the time the garbage can is delivered to their address.

Each container is equipped with a smart chip that associates it with a specific address, like a serial number. The chip allows for the collection of data such as when the carts are lifted and dumped. It also serves as an anti-theft device.

In November, the households that have received new garbage containers will move to a once-a-week garbage pickup schedule.

Residents with the new containers are encouraged to check www.birminghamal.gov/pickup regularly for information about the new schedule. Residents may also text BHAMREADY to 888-777 for service updates.

Current bulk trash and brush pick-up dates and recycling dates will not change.

See also: Birmingham buys 100,000 trash cans with trackable anti-theft chips