Recycling Program

Blue can recyclables will be picked up every Monday.  Please have your, City issued Blue 64 gallon Recycle Can with an attached lid on the curb where you normally put your garbage by 6:30AM every Monday. It is suggested that each resident place the can out the night before pick up, because the crew may arrive as early as 6:30 AM. If you have any questions about the recycling program, please contact Public Works at 205-951-1420.

 

PLEASE RECYCLE:

  • Household Plastics #1 and #2 – The number is found on the bottom of the container.
  • Cardboard boxes must be folded or cut up to a size that fits inside of the City issued Blue 64 gallon Recycle Can with an attached lid if cardboard is wet, it is considered contaminated and should be disposed as garbage or trash.
  • Mixed Paper – Printer Paper/Newspapers/Magazines/Books/Junk Mail…basically, if it tears, then it’s recyclable.
  • Aluminum cans – Please rinse. Empty aerosol cans are accepted.
  • Steel (tin) cans – Please rinse out cans before recycling.

 

DON’T INCLUDE:

  • Household Plastics #3 and up
  • Plastic shopping bags–can be recycled at grocery stores and big box stores.
  • Foam products
  • Pottery
  • Glass
  • Paper/Cardboard used for body contact or food wrappers (i.e. pizza boxes, juice cartons)
  • Wrapping paper
  • Tissue
  • Paper towels
  • Light bulbs
  • Cellophane
  • Electronics
  • Appliances
  • Textiles
  • Wet Cardboard
  • Plastic Bags of any kind

 

WHY RECYCLE?

  • During 2011, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) determined that Alabama spent $25 million to throw away over $193 million worth of recyclable materials.
  • A 2010 Southeast Recycling Development Council (SERDC) study determined that Alabama is home to more than 26 manufacturers who rely on recycled content feed stock. These companies generate more than $6.6 billion in yearly sales and employ more than 10,700 Alabama citizens directly working in the manufacture of recycled content products.
  • If Alabama recycled just 10% more materials each year, the potential economic impact would equate to over 1,400 jobs, over $66 million annual personal income, and $3 million annual state tax revenue. Source: SERDC.
  • The United States of America is the #1 trash-producing country in the world at 1,609 pounds per person per year. This means that 5% of the world’s people generate 40% of the world’s waste.
  • Americans toss out enough aluminum every 3 months to rebuild our entire commercial air fleet.
  • Recycling aluminum requires 95% less energy than making aluminum from raw materials, and produces 95% less air pollution and 97% less water pollution.
  • Recycling paper takes 60% less energy than making paper form raw materials.
  • Recycling plastic takes 88% less energy than making plastic from raw materials