SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - Greenfield is rolling out a new, automated, single-stream recycling program next week — backed by more than $2 million in federal grant money.

The city said new trucks with mechanical arms will lift wheeled carts off the curb, instead of workers getting on and off the truck. You don’t even have to sort paper, plastic, glass or metal, it can all go into the same cart.

Communications Director Jonathan Weber said the new system is not only better for neighbors, but also city staff, “the main benefits are really efficiency in terms of picking up the recycling. Having the truck use that mechanized arm to lift the bin is much faster. We don’t have staff getting on and off the trucks, and then safety of the staff and reducing injuries among our staff is huge as well.”

If you’re on the “A week” route, you’ll start using your new wheeled cart the week of May 18th. But those of you on the “B week” route will have to wait until the week of May 25th.