Apr 9, 2025 - News

Des Moines inks a trash truck deal: Replace more, spend less

Jason Clayworth

A photo of a trash truck. — Des Moines began automating trash pickup in 2001, a move that has resulted in fewer worker injuries but higher vehicle costs. Photo: Courtesy of the city of DSM

Des Moines will shift to a lease-style contract to replace nearly all of its trash trucks over the next two years.

Why it matters: The arrangement allows DSM to replace garbage and recycling trucks every two years — potentially saving an estimated $124,000 per vehicle, mainly on repairs necessary in the fleet's current eight-year cycle.

State of play: The city must replace 22 of its 25 trucks, each costing approximately $400,000.

They frequently require expensive repairs as they age, including to automated arm mechanisms that can exceed $50,000, city finance director Nick Schaul told council members in a meeting this week.

Driving the news: The City Council on Monday approved a contract to pay 40% of the cost of the trucks, with Housby, a local truck dealer, carrying the balance for two years.

The dealership will guarantee a resale value of nearly 70% when the city buys new trucks from it in a cycle that allows each one to be replaced four times over eight years.

Zoom in: The city will spend more on initial purchase costs per vehicle slot, but maintenance and higher resale values associated with newer trucks will offset the total expense to create the projected savings, per Schaul.

What's next: The first 11 new trash trucks are anticipated to replace old ones in the coming month, with the others coming about a year later.

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Des Moines inks a trash truck deal: Replace more, spend less

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