Akron's three year old automated trash pickup program is saving taxpayers 80% in costs over the previous system of trash and recyclable collection (curb service). The City of Akron automated its curb service in August of 2006. Every year since then, the city has reduced worker injuries and saved considerably on Workers' Compensation and overall expenses for the Division of Sanitation. (attached: total costs, injury statistics, workers' comp cost analysis (pdf)).

Sanitation Services Superintendent Rob Harris said, "The combination of reducing work related injuries through automation and holding our monthly safety meetings, led to---what we consider to be--- nothing short of amazing decreases in our Workers Compensation costs".

When Mayor Don Plusquellic introduced the new methods of collecting trash and recyclables to the city, he said that costs and other concerns were skyrocketing. "Our trash collectors are each lifting about one ton of weight every day on the job, and that is leading to injuries, higher health care costs and workers' compensation expenses. But, more importantly, many of our employees end up with a disability of some kind when they retire. This is not what our employees or their families deserve." Plusquellic added, "Having robotic arms on the new trucks that hook onto and lift the new trash carts, will save in all of these areas."

From 2000-2006, Akron averaged 75 employees in the Division of Sanitation. With automation, Public Works Manager Paul Barnett has reassigned some employees to other positions within the City. Employment in the division now averages 50.

"We used to see upwards of 800-1,000 lost work days, due mostly to injuries, each year under the old system," said Barnett. "In 2009, through the end of September, we've seen only 67 lost work days. For us to call that a tremendous improvement is an understatement."