Background
Birmingham, AL (pop. 242,820), is home to “the easiest recycling recycling program under the sun.” It’s true — Birmingham residents enjoy relative ease when it comes to recycling at the curb. Citywide, recycling collection is done on Wednesdays, and any residence that has garbage picked up by the city’s Public Works Department is eligible. For all of its conveniences, though, the city does not recycle glass at the curb.
Materials recycled
Paper
Including flattened cardboard or paperboard (cardboard pieces that fit into the cart go into the cart; those than cannot are to be placed next to the cart), junk mail, office paper, shredded paper (bundled in brown paper bags), newspapers (must be dry), catalogs, magazines, telephone books and textbooks.
Plastics
All rigid, clean plastics numbered 1 to 7. Plastic bags are
not accepted.
Metals
Including aluminum cans and steel/tin cans (rinsed) and empty aerosol cans. Detachable lids must be removed.
Glass
Glass is not accepted at the curb.
Frequency
Curbside pick-up occurs every Wednesday. Carts must be placed free from any obstructions on collection day by 6 a.m. All carts must be returned to property within 12 hours of pick-up.
Other programs
The Birmingham Public Works Department offers regularly occurring curbside brush pick-up. A two-month
schedule can be found online.
More information
Please see the
Birmingham Recycles brochure for more recycling program info.