The Miami-Dade County (Fla.) Department of Solid Waste Management (DSWM) has begun receiving replacement vehicles for about 50% of its automated waste collection fleet. 

DSWM has already received 60 of the scheduled 77 vehicles, with 36 deployed and weekly arrivals scheduled to continue through early September. This first phase of the automated fleet replacement program is a $22 million investment in equipment, the department announced.

The trucks that are being retired have been in service for at least a decade. Additional replacement vehicles will come online over the next year.

“We’re pleased and proud to deploy these new trucks into our automated fleet which will reduce mechanical breakdowns and delays for our drivers and result in efficient and reliable services that our customers expect and deserve,” said DSWM Director and Deputy Mayor Alina Hudak in a statement.

Three of the new trucks being deployed are painted pink as part of DSWM’s initiative to support and spread year-round breast cancer awareness. In the coming months, the new trucks will also be used for messaging about the county’s integrated waste management system and to promote community awareness and participation in the litter prevention and community pride campaign.