If ever there were a time to get excited about trash and recycling, that time is now.

Beginning in January, county residents in Brentwood, Discovery Bay, Knightsen and Bethel Island will begin receiving not one but three brand-new wheeled garbage containers for all their trash, recycling and green waste needs – courtesy of Discovery Bay Disposal Service.

“This is going to be a great program for everyone,” said Dave Adler, regional manager of Discovery Bay Disposal. “We think it will eventually help everyone recycle more and lower their garbage bills. We’re excited about the move.”

For most residents, the wheeled containers are nothing new, but out in the unincorporated areas of the county, where homeowners have been dealing with one large trash can, two small recycling crates and the responsibility of providing their own green waste cans for years, the new curbside program – recently approved by the board of supervisors – is exciting.

“I think it’s going to be a win-win for the community and should help keep everyone’s overall costs down,” said Discovery Bay General Manager Rick Howard.

Here’s how it works.

Beginning with the rollout in January, all residents will receive a 96-gallon blue container for recycling and a 96-gallon green container for green waste.

In addition, residents can choose a brown container for garbage.

The brown containers are available in 20-, 32-, 64- or 96-gallon varieties. Those who already have the 96-gallon green containers, which are supplied from Discovery Bay Disposal, will keep them and use them for green waste. Those who don’t have them will receive them with their other containers.

Although the initial program will cost customers about $10 more per billing cycle (due to the rising cost of labor, said Adler), if they stick with their current 96-gallon cans, many will find they’re no longer filling up the larger cans once they begin recycling.

The result: they might be able to use a smaller trash can at a lower cost.

Garbage cans will be available in the following sizes, and the monthly price includes all three containers: 20 gallon ($25.71), 32 gallon ($32.08), 64 gallon ($37.22) and 96 gallon ($44.26).

“Typically, residents, if they recycle, fall somewhere between the 32-gallon and 64-gallon cans,” said Adler. “And they increase their recycling by about 30 percent. So it’s a good thing no matter what.”

Survey cards have already gone out in the mail to residents explaining the new program and asking them to check the size of garbage can they prefer. According to Adler, if residents don’t return the survey card – or call in to register their preference – a 64-gallon can will automatically be provided.

“However, we’re more than willing to work with people and will be happy to switch out containers if they find the sizes they have aren’t working,” said Adler. “We want to make this as easy for people as possible.”

For additional information, or to order a can-size preference, call 925-634-1123. More information can also be found online at www.discoverybaydisposal.com.