SWAMPSCOTT — New recycling carts are hitting the curbs across Swampscott as the town enters the final stage of its transition to automated trash and recycling collection, with the new system scheduled to begin next week and officials releasing additional details on cart exchanges, extra receptacles, and the rollout process.

Standard 95-gallon recycling carts were delivered to homes across town this week. The town also announced Friday that its initial supply of smaller-sized 65-gallon recycling carts has already been fully allocated. Residents who prefer the smaller carts can continue submitting requests through the town’s online form, but new requests will be placed on a waitlist until another shipment arrives.

Residents who requested additional trash or recycling carts will soon receive emails with billing information and delivery schedules, with distribution expected to begin next week. Last week, the Select Board approved annual lease fees of $160 for a second 35-gallon trash cart and $50 for an additional 95-gallon recycling cart after debating how much residents should pay for increased waste capacity. The board also voted to keep the town’s blue overflow trash bags at $3 each.

As part of the transition, the town will collect unwanted recycling carts and bins during the week of Aug. 17. Residents should place old recycling containers at the curb on their regular trash day that week, or they can bring them to the Department of Public Works during the Aug. 29 Metal Drop-Off Day.

The updates come as Swampscott completes a months-long transition to an automated collection system that will replace manual recycling pickup with trucks equipped with mechanical arms. Residents will continue using their existing town-issued 35-gallon black trash carts while receiving new standardized 95-gallon blue recycling carts designed to work with the automated equipment. Town officials have said the change will improve efficiency, reduce workplace injuries, and help contain rising collection costs while maintaining weekly trash and recycling pickup, seasonal yard waste collection, and the existing blue overflow bag program.

Officials have also reminded residents that proper cart placement will be critical once automated collection begins. Carts should be at the curb with the wheels facing the home, and there should be at least three feet of clearance between carts, parked vehicles, mailboxes, and other obstacles so the truck’s mechanical arm can safely lift them.

The town has said the larger recycling carts were selected with future flexibility in mind. While recycling will continue to be collected weekly for now, officials have previously approved a transition to every-other-week recycling collection beginning Jan. 1, 2027, a move expected to save roughly $168,000 annually. The 95-gallon carts are intended to hold two weeks’ worth of recyclables, allowing the town to make that change without requiring new equipment.

Town officials have acknowledged there will likely be “some bumps in the learning curve” as the automated system is introduced, and encouraged residents with questions to contact the Department of Public Works or visit the town’s trash and recycling webpage.