Uniform Garbage Carts

View More In This Section

Household Garbage Makeup Schedule

The City of Birmingham will continue to assess weather and roadway conditions. Currently, city offices are scheduled to be open Wednesday, January 17 at 8 a.m.

The Department of Public Works will resume household garbage pickup on Wednesday with an altered schedule to make up for Monday’s holiday and Tuesday’s weather closure.

  • Wednesday – Pickup Monday Routes
  • Thursday – Pickup Tuesday Routes
  • Friday – Pickup Thursday Routes
  • Saturday – Pickup Friday Routes
Again, consult city social channels, www.birminghamal.gov/pickup and text BHAMREADY to 888-777 for any updates related to disruption in service due to weather conditions.

****

 

Holiday Garbage Pickup Makeup Days and Recycling

 

The city will be closed Monday, January 15 in observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Residences who typically receive household garbage pickup on Monday, will be serviced on Tuesday. The regularly scheduled Tuesday pickup on January 16 will be delayed one day to Wednesday. Due to the holiday makeup schedule, there will be no recycling pickup on Wednesday, January 17.

 

Wednesday, January 24 will be the only curbside recycling pickup day this month.

 

The regularly scheduled recycling pickup of the first and third Wednesdays of the month will resume in February.

 

 

Residents who are currently in the uniform garbage cart system may apply for an additional cart here.

* Residents must pay $120 for additional cart service. Single family residences will be limited to only two carts.

 

Applications may be mailed or delivered with payment to:

City of Birmingham – Dept. of Public Works

Waste Cart Program

501 6th Ave. S.

Birmingham, AL 35205

Check payments only at this time. The city looks forward to providing an online payment system soon. Please check back for updates.

 

Uniform Garbage Cart Update (10.24.2023)

For single family residences receiving a uniform garbage cart since, September 13, letters have been delivered and the new once a week schedule has begun. This handles the final phase of deliveries for the complimentary uniform garbage carts. All single family residents are now under the same system.

Businesses located on residential waste routes needing up to two carts and multi-family dwelling units of four or less may apply for carts at a fee per cart (see application below).  Any businesses needing more than two carts or any apartments/multi-family dwellings needing more than four carts will no longer be serviced by the City of Birmingham.

DPW has hand delivered guidance for residences experiencing difficulty in setting out carts due to terrain issues.

For questions about the cart program, please email pickup@birminghamal.gov.

 

For non-emergency city announcements, text BHAMREADY to 888-777.

 

An Important Reminder about the city’s Uniform Garbage Cart System

Households using the new uniform garbage carts, please remember that garbage must be bagged and placed inside the complimentary 96-gallon cart. If placed on the ground beside the cart or on top of the cart, it will not be picked up. Residents using the new carts should place their carts in front of their home. Any household garbage placed on the ground in alleys or on the ground in front of the residence will not be picked up.

The new cart system is serviced by automated trucks that use a mechanical lift to empty the contents of the carts in the truck. As the city receives additional automated trucks, trucks with rear loaders and refuse collectors may be utilized for various reasons including mechanical issues or additional support for specific routes.

The process and schedule for the bulk trash and brush pick-up will not change based on the uniform garbage cart system.

Thank you for your patience as the city continues to educate residents on the new system. We encourage you to help inform your neighbors about using the new system and how to properly set out their household garbage in the new uniform carts.

“HOW TO” Video: Click here to view a video about the proper way to use your new uniform garbage cart. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions about the City of Birmingham’s Uniform Garbage Cart System

 

My neighbors received a cart, but I didn’t.  When will I get mine?

Complimentary 96-gallon household garbage carts were delivered in three phases over the last year. If you have not received a cart and live in the city of Birmingham, please email pickup@birminghamal.gov.

 

My next door neighbor received a cart, and I did not. Can we share her cart?

No. If your next door neighbor received a cart and you did not, you should not share. Please send an email to pickup@birminghamal.gov. . Provide your address and include what happened. Someone will investigate to determine if you should have received a cart.

 

Can I just toss my trash into the cart without bagging it?

No, all residents must bag the garbage before putting it in the cart. If it is not bagged, the trash could blow out onto the street while the truck is dumping it.. By bagging your trash, you will help cut down on litter.

 

I don’t want to use the new cart. Will the city still pick up my trash if I put bags out on the ground or in a different trash can?

No. The city’s automated trucks may only collect bagged trash from the uniform carts provided by the city.

 

Will businesses and apartments/multi-family dwellings receive carts?

Businesses located on residential waste routes needing up to two carts and multi-family dwelling units of four or less may apply for carts at a fee per cart.  Any businesses needing more than two carts or any apartments/multi-family dwellings needing more than four carts will no longer be serviced by the City of Birmingham.

 

Will the truck collect my trash if I put the cart in the alley because that’s where I used to put my trash?

No, the truck will be unable to get to the cart if it is in the alley. Residents should put their carts in the front of their home at the curb.  If there is an issue, please send an email to pickup@birminghamal.gov.

 

How do we report broken carts?

Send an email to pickup@birminghamal.gov.  Be sure to provide your address.

 

I have received my new cart, but I also have a trash cart similar to the one the city just gave me. Can I use both carts for pickup when you start using the automated trucks?

No. Residents should ONLY be using the uniform household garbage cart that was dropped off at their home.

 

My new cart was stolen. What do I do?

Residents are responsible for their carts. If the cart is lost or stolen, the resident will have to replace it to continue household garbage pickup. Residents should send an email to pickup@birminghamal.gov.

 

My new cart was damaged. What do I do?

If the cart was damaged, the resident should send an email to pickup@birminghamal.gov to report a damaged cart. Please provide the address.

 

Will apartments receive one trash cart for each resident or just one for the complex?

Multifamily residences containing no more than four units and currently using the uniform garbage cart system receive one complimentary 96-gallon cart. The complex may apply for additional cart service at $120 per cart. No more than four carts total will be provided for those multifamily residences.

Please note, like with the complimentary 96-gallon cart, any additional carts will remain with the property. A resident cannot transfer the cart to another property.

Multifamily residences with more than four units will not be provided the city’s garbage carts. Those properties must provide a special garbage container for the premises and provide service to empty the container.

 

The city has already given me one cart. Can I get a second cart from the city for my home?

Residents wishing to have a second cart may apply. Residents must pay $120 for additional cart service Single family residences will be limited to only two carts. Check www.birminghamal.gov/pickup for details to apply for a second cart. Only properties currently using the uniform garbage carts will be able to apply for an additional cart. Those who will receive a cart in the phase 3 delivery must wait until that process has started.

Please note, like with the complimentary 96-gallon cart, any additional cart will remain with the property. A resident cannot transfer the cart to another property.

Check this site often for updates on garbage pick-up schedules and future cart delivery dates.

Text BHAMREADY to 888-777 to receive service updates and other important information