No, Auburn recycling isn’t being mixed with regular trash in automated trucks

SUN JOURNAL • July 24, 2026

Yes, both garbage and recycling are being collected in the same automated trash trucks in Auburn. No, the two are not being mixed. The same can be said for Lewiston, which is also adopting an automated waste pickup system. Automated trash trucks use a mechanical arm to pick up special trash carts and empty them into the back of the truck. The change is supposed to increase efficiency and decrease the necessary manpower: The mechanical arm that lifts the cans replaces the people who formerly stood on the back of the truck for the same purpose. The truck has two compartments — one for trash and one for recycling — that are operated by a joystick inside the truck cab.