Names of Bettendorf’s Recycling Trucks to be Revealed During Annual Public Works Day

MAY 16, 2024 - The votes are in. Will the City of Bettendorf’s Recycling Trucks be named The Incredible Bulk, Recycling McQueen, CHEWbacca, Truck Norris, or Bin Diesel? How about Recyclosaurus Rex, The Green Reaper, Sir Eats-a-Lot, RePete, or Scrappy?

On Saturday, May 18th at 10am during the City’s Annual Public Works Day, Mayor Bob Gallagher will reveal the results of the Recycling Truck Naming Contest. One of the City’s three recycling trucks will be named after a local boy named Reid who passed away from cancer in 2020. During the contest’s nomination period, 94% of submissions were in honor and memory of Reid. The other two recycling trucks will be named based on the community’s vote.

The public is invited to attend and enjoy all the activities taking place during Public Works Day. For more information, please see below.

APRIL 26, 2024 - After a successful nomination period, the City of Bettendorf is encouraging the community to cast their vote for their favorite recycling truck name and make plans to attend a special event to hear the winners.

The City received 4,446 submissions to its Recycling Truck Naming Contest between March 18th and April 18th. Of those, 94% were in honor and memory of a local boy named Reid who had a love for garbage and recycling trucks but unfortunately passed away from cancer in 2020. To learn more about Reid’s story and the foundation created in his name, visit www.rallyforreid.org.

Due to the outpouring of support for Reid, the City has decided to name one of its three recycling trucks after Reid, and have the community decide on the names for the other two trucks. The City has created a poll with the 10 most popular submissions at www.bettendorf.org/NamingContest. The poll will be open through Saturday, May 11th and the winning names will be revealed during Public Works Day on May 18th.

MARCH 19, 2024 - "Advancing Quality of Life for All" - That's the theme of National Public Works Week, taking place May 19-25, 2024 through the American Public Works Association.

To kick off National Public Works Week, the City of Bettendorf's Public Works Department is hosting its Annual Public Works Day on Saturday, May 18th from 9am-1pm at the Bettendorf Public Works Annex, 4403 Devils Glen Road. 

This is a family-friendly, fun-filled event that includes:

  • Public Works Trucks and Machinery On Display
  • Free Food (Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Popcorn, Ice Cream, and Soft Drinks)
  • Kids Activities
    • Inflatable Obstacle Course
    • Snow Plow Blade Painting
    • Face Painting
  • Giveaways
    • Compost - Bring Your Own Bucket!
    • Handmade Bat House
    • Trash/Yard Waste Stickers
    • Free Bus Pass
  • Interactive Opportunities
    • Ride the Bettendorf Transit Bus
    • Learn About the "EnviroScape" Model
    • Make Milkweed Pods
    • Learn About Household Hazardous Materials and E-Waste
    • Donate Old Bicycles/Bike Parts

“It’s important to celebrate our Public Works Crews who work so hard each day to maintain and improve the systems and services vital to our community’s health, safety and comfort,” said Brian Schmidt, Bettendorf Public Works Director.