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Curbside recycling will return July 1: View frequently asked questions here

The welfare of City of Birmingham employees and residents remains important to us, which is why it is necessary to adjust City services delivered during the COVID-19 crisis. Earlier this year, City crews picked up items for recycling every Wednesday. However, starting April 13, that schedule was temporarily halted due to COVID-19-related issues.

In mid-March, the trash volume from households increased tremendously because more people were at home or working from home because of COVID-19. And as time progressed, officials deemed it necessary to re-evaluate the collection process. By temporarily removing the day for recycling, the extra day gave City employees time to recover before reporting to work again. Residents, however, were encouraged to drop off recyclable items to Birmingham Recycling and Recovery, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The center is located at 9 – 41st St. South. Their phone number is 205-591-8201.

After more than two months of suspended recycling services, the City will offer once-a-month recycling services, starting July 1. Recycling pick-ups will take place the first Wednesday of every month. Residents interested in recycling more than once a month, may still drop off recyclable items at Birmingham Recycling and Recovery, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

We ask that residents please understand the reasoning behind this effort, as it was made with employees and residents in mind. Pick-up schedules for household trash, which is collected twice a week, will not change. Those neighborhoods participating in the City Haul Pilot Program will continue to receive household trash service once per week on their designated service date. Also, their recycling schedule will not change. For information about the City Haul Pilot Program, please visit https://www.birminghamal.gov/cityhaul.

Also, the regular pick-up schedules for bulk trash and tree limbs, which is collected every three weeks, will not change. The city’s Eastern Area Landfill will remain open, Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. They are located at 2787 Alton Road. Their number is 205-655-3391. Birmingham residents interested in taking excess trash to the landfills may do so during operation times.

Frequently Asked Questions about Curbside Recycling in Birmingham

Program relaunches on July 1, 2020

How often will curbside recycling happen in Birmingham?

The first Wednesday of every month.

What is accepted in curbside recycling?

Paper: Junk mail, magazines, office paper, newspaper, cardboard

Metal: Aluminum cans, steel cans, tin cans

Plastic: Soda bottles, water bottles, laundry detergent bottles, water bottles, mouthwash bottles, plastic jars, milk jugs, shampoo bottles, cleaning supply bottles

What is not accepted in curbside recycling?

Trash

Glass

Phone books

Styrofoam

Plastic bags and any other materials that are not listed under what is accepted as recyclable on the City list

What time do I need to put out items for the recycling crew?

Since recycling is the first Wednesday of each month, recyclable items should be placed at the curb no earlier than 6:30 Tuesday night and no later than 6 a.m. on Wednesday. City crews should pick up bins/cans/carts by 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday to help keep your street looking clean and tidy.

I used a City of Birmingham recycle bin before the City temporarily halted recycling because of COVID-19. Now, that the City is starting its recycling program again, can I use that same bin?

Yes

I don’t have a City of Birmingham recycle bin. Where can I get one?

Currently, the City does not have bins to distribute.

Can I call 311 to request a recycle bin?

No. Currently, the City does not have recycling bins.

If I don’t have a recycle bin, what can I use?

Residents may place loose recyclable items in a cardboard box or a small plastic bin. The container should not exceed 30 gallons in size. If residents want to keep the plastic bin, they should put “Recycling’’ on both sides of the bin so crews know not to take the bin with them. If the bin is not labeled, the bin will be removed and taken for recycling. If a cardboard box is used to hold items for recycling, the cardboard box will be taken with the items. Residents can also place recycling items in clear plastic bags.

How many clear plastic bags may I put out for curbside recycling?

Residents should use no more than four, 30-gallon clear plastic bags for one pick-up service.

I don’t have clear plastic bags. I just have the dark or white trash bags. Will crews pick up my items for recycling if I put them in the dark or white plastic bags?

No. Crews must be able to see what is in the bag before they pick it up during curbside recycling days. They must know it’s for recycling. Items left in dark or white bags on Wednesday will not be collected. Also, household trash that is left out on Wednesday will not be collected by the recycling crews.

I used to have a plastic recycle bin from the City. Now, I don’t. Can I get a replacement bin from the City?

We are sorry, but the City does not have recycle bins to distribute.

Is recycling available at Birmingham apartments?

Yes. As long as the apartment complex has less than 10 units AND the City of Birmingham currently picks up refuse/household garbage from the complex, the City will pick up recycling at that location. In order for Birmingham apartments to qualify for curbside recycling, they must have these two components.

How can I participate in recycling? I don’t have it in my area.

People may drop off recyclable items at Birmingham Recycle-Recovery at 9 – 41st St South. The number is (205) 591-8201. They are open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

I want to recycle more than once a month. What can I do?

Residents may drop off recyclable items at Birmingham Recycle-Recovery at 9 – 41st St South. The number is (205) 591-8201.

By doing curbside recycling just once a month, will City crews be able to pick up all recycling in one day?

Public Works has 28 refuse crews that collect refuse/household garbage 4 days per week on their scheduled day. Those same 28 refuse crews also pick up recycling. Crews will be able to provide curbside recycling for every house that has recycling items set out on their route on the first Wednesday of the month. Since curbside recycling participation in the City has been historically low (about 2 percent of the households in Birmingham participate in curbside recycling), the department can handle recycling pick-ups in one day.

Will the recycling bins be bigger if the City is only picking up once a month?

No. Residents who’ve used recycle bins in the past, should continue to use those bins. Residents interested in starting to recycle are encouraged to use a 30-gallon or less container. If residents want to keep the plastic recylce bin, they should put “Recycling’’ on both sides of the bin so crews know not to take the bin with them. If the bin is not labeled, the bin will be removed and taken for recycling. Residents may also use a disposable cardboard box. Currently, the City does not have recycle bins for distribution. Items my placed in clear, plastic bags, too.

What is the end time for the City Haul pilot program, which also has recycling? Also, will the City consider expanding that program to other neighborhoods?

The City Haul Pilot Program is slated to end in October 2020. The City is evaluating possible next steps for future recycling.

I like the carts that are used in the City Haul program. If I buy my own rolling bin like the ones used in the pilot program, will the City pick that up? If so, where can I go to order such a cart?

Currently, the carts used in the City Haul pilot program are only for those households in the pilot program. However, residents may purchase their own small bin or cart for recycling. Such a plastic container may be found at any retailer. The recycling containers must be 30 gallons or less. If residents want to keep the plastic bin, they should put “Recycling’’ on both sides of the bin so crews know not to take the bin with them. If the bin is not labeled, the bin will be removed and taken for recycling. Residents may also place their recyclable items in clear plastic bags or a cardboard box. Please know that cardboard boxes used as bins will be recycled and taken away along with the items in the box.

If I leave items in my recycle bin on Wednesday and they are not recyclable, will crews collect the items?

No. Crews will only pick items that appear on the recycle list. If the items are bulk trash, please visit www.birminghamal.gov for the pick-up day for your neighborhood. If you want to know which day crews will pick up household trash in your neighborhood, please call 311.

I still have questions about recycling. What number can I call for more info?

Call the Department of Public Works at 205-254-6344.