The county will begin automated refuse collection in July to approximately 7,000 households in the Lahaina and Upcountry areas.

The service will be offered twice weekly. The Department of Environmental Management purchased several 28-cubic-yard collection vehicles at a cost of $1.5 million to enable automated collection. Residents will be receiving a 96-gallon trash container from the county and will be mailed information on procedures.

The county already offers automated refuse collection on Lana'i and in Kihei and most of Central Maui. Officials said service in Moloka'i and Hana is being evaluated.

The expanded automated collection service to Lahaina and Upcountry was made possible by an agreement between the county and the United Public Workers union, which represents refuse employees.