Detroit DPW elevates efforts to Keep Detroit Clean with Electric Vehicles and Bus Stop Recycling Pilot

• Detroit DPW adds first electric vehicles to heavy-duty fleet for curbside pickup
• Bus Stop Recycling Pilot launched at 42 locations across all 7 council districts
• City also marking 10 years since starting its recycling program
  

City of Detroit Department of Public Works (DPW) today rolled out two new strategies to Keep Detroit Clean, including the department's first 100% electric solid waste collection vehicles, and the introduction of recycling containers at a number of bus stops around the city.

Outside of its Russell Ferry yard, DPW leaders showed off the department's first two fully electric solid waste collection trucks: one automatic side loader for picking up household trash containers, and one rear loader for manually removed items. The department will test the vehicles to evaluate them for possible expansion throughout its fleet.

"A central mission of DPW is to keep Detroit clean and adding zero-emission vehicles to our fleet is another way we can do that," said DPW Deputy Director, Sam Krassenstein. "In addition to producing less air and noise pollution, electric vehicles typically have a lower operating cost, as well as lower maintenance costs due to having fewer moving parts."

The purchase cost for the two new vehicles and charger was $1.8 million. The majority of the cost - $1.2 million was provided by a Michigan EGLE fuel transformation grant, along with $500,000 from the city and approximately $250,000 from DTE Energy. The vehicles can charge overnight and run for up to 8 hours on a single charge, depending on variables such as the use of the mechanical arm and weight of trash being collected.

Bus Stop Recycling

Krassenstein also announced the introduction of containers for recyclable items at many of its bus stops. Blue recycling cans have been installed at 42 of the city's high-traffic bus stops along key commercial corridors, including:

• Livernois
• Warren
• Mack Ave/MLK Blvd
• Jefferson
• 7 Mile
• McNichols

The carts may be used for the same items as residents put in their blue city recycling container for curbside pick up but will be primarily for collection of bottles and cans. They should not be used for plastic bags, styrofoam, or any containers that still have food in them.

"We had great feedback and results from our pilot project with very low contamination compared with other recycling and waste diversion efforts, so we're excited to roll this out to a larger part of the City to support our transit community." said Krassenstein. "We expect them to be well used."

The pilot will be expanded during the 2025-26 fiscal year to add recycling containers to nearly 800 stops citywide, utilizing $500k in funds budgeted through a special allocation spearheaded by District 2 Councilmember Angela Whitfield-Calloway.

Separately the city has placed recycling containers at 25 parks throughout the city. Residents can also request a free recycling cart for their homes by using Improve Detroit or visiting DPW's website.

The City of Detroit is leading from the front on efforts to help the environment, said Deputy Mayor Melia Howard. "We have a very robust climate action agenda that includes things just like this," Howard said. "When you look at what DPW is doing today, what we are doing in terms of creating solar fields to offset energy use at all 127 city municipal buildings, expanding electric vehicles and converting abandoned rail lines into the new Joe Louis Greenway, Detroit is becoming a much cleaner and environmentally friendly city."