Trash Collection Rules
TRASH is defined as tree limbs, tree/yard debris, discarded furniture, and bedding.
A CONTRACTOR is defined as someone who performs services for pay, such as a Building Contractor, Tree Trim/Removal Service, Electrician, Plumber, or privately owned or contracted Property Management Company.
CONTRACTOR DEBRIS - If a resident hires a Contractor to do any kind of work, it is the Contractor's responsibility to collect and remove the debris, and take it to the landfill.
Bagged leaves, plants and grass clippings can be composted, used as mulch, or may be put at the curb, as long as it does not exceed the 2 cubic yard limit. (3' X 3' X 6' or 15-bag equivalent) The City will remove RESIDENTIAL trash that exceeds this limit for a charge, pricing depends on the size of the pile. Call 208-5311 to place a work order requesting an estimate for piles over the limit.
Location
Household trash shall be placed on the property where it originated as close to the street as possible without posing an obstruction to pedestrians or other risk to health and human safety. Trash piles that are not serviced on the scheduled route due to placement or obstruction (i.e., blocked by vehicles, etc.) will not receive additional/return service and it will be the responsibility of the property owner to remove. It shall be a violation of this Article to place household trash in any of the following locations or ways:
- Obstructing sidewalks.
- Obstructing gutters, ditches, or any portions of the city's drain system.
- Obstructing the street, creating a traffic hazard.
- In a location that could cause a fire hazard, with trash not eligible for city pickup.
- Around fire hydrants, signposts, guy wires, power poles, over water meters, over masonry work, against fences, or at the base of trees located within the City of Mobile rights-of-way.
- Under low hanging power lines, TV cables or low tree limbs.
The following materials are not collectible as part of household trash:
- Limbs greater than twelve (12) inches in diameter
- Limbs greater than six (6) feet in length
- Materials from commercial projects
- Materials from evictions
- Any materials accumulated from commercial businesses
Service on Private roads
Household trash pickup on private roads can be arranged if the roads are sized, and owner maintained sufficiently to allow for the access and movement of City Public Services vehicles. Contact Public Services for procedures and requirements. The City reserves the right to deny or cease service.
Hazardous Waste
Large volumes and/or non-household broken glass, sharp metal objects, or hypodermic needles and other household medical waste must be disposed of in puncture-proof sealed containers or biohazard waste bags.
City Ordinance
- Prohibits Household Chemicals, Paint, Stain, Construction Debris, Glass, Sinks, Bathtubs, HVAC Units, Sheetrock, Insulation, and Fencing to be mixed in trash piles. These are to be removed by the homeowner, tenant or Contractor.
- Prohibits cutting or blowing grass, leaves and clippings into the streets, gutters, or storm drains. These must be composted, used as mulch, or raked and placed into garbage bags, and set out with the trash pile, or discarded by the Contractor. Anyone seen blowing yard clippings into the streets, gutters or storm drains, including private landscapers, is subject to a $532 fine for Littering. Please pass this information on to your landscaper.
- Prohibits placement of trash pile at the curb more than 48 hours in advance of regularly scheduled pickup day.
- Placing the pile at the curb prior to this could result in a fine of $532.
- Prohibits placement of trash in medians, on vacant lots, Doing so could result in a fine of $532 for Littering and/or Illegal Dumping.
DO NOT PLACE ELECTRONICS, APPLIANCES, PAINT, TIRES, GLASS OR OTHER PROHIBITED ITEMS ON YOUR REGULAR TRASH PILE; THE ENTIRE PILE WILL NOT BE PICKED UP. Call 208-5311 and place a work order for an Electronics or Appliance pickup. Glass can be recycled or put in your household garbage can. WE WILL NOT PICK UP REFRIGERATORS, FREEZERS, AIR CONDITIONERS, ETC., THAT CONTAIN HAZARDOUS MATERIAL SUCH AS FREON, OIL, GAS, ETC. See Helpful Hints below for more information.
Helpful Hints
PAINT DISPOSAL - Using QuikCrete (fast-setting concrete) is the fastest way to dry paint. Pour and mix equal parts of QuickCrete with the leftover paint in the can. Stir until fully mixed. Leave out to dry. Once it is dry, put the lid back on the can, and put in your brown garbage can for disposal. If you have sand or cat litter, use the same procedure as QuickCrete. It will take a little longer to dry, but the results are the same.
TV's and ELECTRONICS - If you prefer to RECYCLE your Flat Screen TV's and Electronics instead of putting them out at the curb, you can cal] United Cerebral Palsy at (251) 479-4900. Ask about home pick up for the elderly and disabled. CRT-tvpe TV's and older models may be taken to Best Buy for Recycling for a $25 recycling fee. Please call (251) 478-6678, Press 3 for Geek Squad for more information.