Garbage & Trash

City garbage service is mandatory for all single-family residential premises in the Tuscaloosa corporate city limits. New residents may apply for garbage service when they apply for water and sewer services.

Multi-family and non-residential premises may be eligible for City garbage collection service. If ineligible or not subscribing to City garbage collection service, these premises must contract with a licensed commercial waste hauler for private dumpster service. For questions, please email ESD@tuscaloosa.com or call Tuscaloosa 311.

Garbage Collection Information

• Carts must be placed at curbside by 6 a.m. on your collection day.
• Carts must be removed from the city right-of-way by 8 a.m. the day following collection.
• In the Historic District, carts may not be stored in the front yard. Click for detailed information on Historic District Cart Storage.
• When a City holiday interrupts the collection schedule, routes will resume the next scheduled work day.

Placement and Preparation

To keep our crews safe and prevent an interruption in service, please: 

• Bag all garbage and place all bags inside the cart. Do not overfill carts or put extra bags on the ground.
• Place carts more than 3 feet from other carts, recycling bins, trash piles, parked cars, mailboxes, fences and fire hydrants.
• Do not place carts under low hanging utility lines or tree limbs. 

The City of Tuscaloosa proudly provides free curbside recycling. A special recycling bin is provided to each participating residence for use in the collection and storage of recyclables.

Trash includes bulk materials such as tree limbs, brush, yard waste, old furniture, and similar items. This service is provided only to active customers who receive City garbage collection.

Trash Collection Information

• Trash must be placed at the curbs for collection by 6 a.m. on your collection day. Trash may not be placed in the street. 
• When a City holiday interrupts the solid waste collection schedule, routes will resume the next scheduled workday.

Placement and Preparation

• All leaves and small items must be bagged.
• Limbs must be cut to less than 8 feet in length and 8 inches in diameter.
• Trash must be more than 3 feet from mailboxes, cars, fences, etc.
• Trash may not be placed under utility lines.
• Refrigerators must be empty and taped shut or have the doors removed.

Acceptable Items

• Bulky items (old furniture, unwanted toys, etc.)
• Limbs and brush
• Bagged leaves and grass clippings; pine straw
• Rocks, bricks and demolition waste generated by family units
• Appliances – collected separately from regular trash; will be recycled

Unacceptable Items

• Household garbage
• Hazardous waste (paint, light bulbs, batteries, chemicals, etc.)
• Recyclable materials
• Tires
• Loose glass. In order for crews to collect, glass must be broken into small pieces and placed inside a box that is taped shut.
• Any waste generated by a compensated person (contractor, tree trimmer, etc.)
• Recyclable electronics. These must be dropped off at the Richard A. Curry Environmental Complex at 3440 Reese Phifer Ave.