Trash & Recycling in Tuscaloosa, AL (2026)
10 verified trash & recycling rules for Tuscaloosa, Alabama, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Tuscaloosa residents must have garbage carts, recycling bins, and trash at the curb before 6:00 a.m. on their collection day, City Code Sec. 16-95(a). Once serviced, carts and bins cannot sit at the curb for more than 24 hours, whether the hauler is the city or a private company, Sec. 16-95(b).
Tuscaloosa Curbside Pickup Timing Rules
Some RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 16-95(a), (b) (Ord. No. 9487, § 13, 3-19-24)
(a)To ensure collection by the city, garbage carts, recycling bins, and trash must be placed on the curb prior to 6:00 a.m. on collection day.(b)In no event shall garbage carts or recycling bins, whether serviced by the city or a private commercial firm, remain on the curb for more than twenty-four (24) hours.
Bin Placement Rules
Tuscaloosa only picks up garbage set out in city-issued carts, City Code Sec. 16-93(a). Bags, cans, and other containers are 'nonconforming receptacles' the city won't collect and treats as a public nuisance, and no cart may be loaded past 200 pounds or with heavy debris like concrete or scrap metal.
Tuscaloosa Garbage Cart Use and Placement
Some RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 16-93(a), (c) (Ord. No. 3039, 2-1-90; Ord. No. 5526, § 4, 3-20-97; Ord. No. 9487, § 11, 3-19-24)
(a)Mandatory use of city carts. The owners or occupants of every premises participating in the city's garbage collection system in accordance with the provisions of this article shall utilize only city garbage carts as herein defined. Only city carts properly maintained and in good working order may be utilized for garbage collection by the city's system. The city will not collect garbage from ...
Bulk Item Disposal
Tuscaloosa's weekly trash service covers up to five cubic yards of bulky household trash per residence at no extra charge, City Code Sec. 16-97(b)(7). Go over that and the city bills a special fee: $50 for 5 to 11 cubic yards, $100 for 11 up to 20 cubic yards, the absolute cap it will collect.
Tuscaloosa Bulk and Large-Item Trash Rules
Some RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 16-97(b)(3), (7) (Ord. No. 2109, §§ 1—5, 11-20-79; Ord. No. 6334, 5-16-02; Ord. No. 9487, § 14, 3-19-24)
(3)Large bulky trash items not capable of being bagged as required by subsection (1) above may be placed on the curbside no closer than three (3) feet from any inanimate object in front of the premises on regular collection days only by the occupant or person not engaged in lawn cutting or service for hire...(7)The city will collect five cubic yards of residential trash from any one premises pe...
Recycling Requirements
Once you set recyclables at the curb or in a city-designated bin in Tuscaloosa, they legally become city property, City Code Sec. 16-111, though you can still retrieve items from your own bin. Sec. 16-112 makes it illegal for anyone besides the city or its authorized recycling contractor to take that material.
Tuscaloosa Recycling Ownership and Theft Rules
Some RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Secs. 16-111, 16-112 (Ord. No. 7680, § 2, 6-7-11)
Sec. 16-111. Ownership of recyclable material. Recyclable materials placed at curbside or in city right-of-way for pickup or in bins or areas designated by the city for recycling becomes the property of the city subject to the following exception and limitation: The depositor of the material may retrieve items from their own containers placed at curbside or on city right-of-way and from materia...
Holiday Pickup Schedule
When a legal holiday falls on a Tuscaloosa collection day, City Code Sec. 16-95(c) cancels that day's garbage and trash pickup outright and pushes the route to the next business day. Sec. 16-95(d) lets the environmental services department delay routine collection further for severe weather or similar emergencies.
Tuscaloosa Holiday Collection Schedule Shift
Light RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 16-95(c), (d) (Ord. No. 9487, § 13, 3-19-24)
(c)When garbage and trash collection by the city is scheduled on a legal holiday for the municipality, there will be no collection on that occasion; collection will recommence on the following business day.(d)Routine garbage and trash collection may also be delayed due to emergencies such as severe inclement weather conditions.
Illegal Dumping
Dumping gravel, cement, garbage, trash, debris or litter of any kind on Tuscaloosa streets, public ways, or private premises and vacant lots, including from a moving vehicle, is unlawful under Sec. 13-62, with a legal defense only if the property owner expressly consented to it.
Tuscaloosa Illegal Dumping and Littering Ban
Heavy RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 13-62(a) (Code 1962, § 29-25(b); Ord. No. 2288, § 3, 6-12-84)
(a)Generally. It shall be unlawful for any person to throw, dump, or discharge or to cause, or to permit, the dumping, depositing or discharging of any gravel, cement, paper, wood, garbage, cans, trash, and debris, refuse or litter of any kind upon the public streets or other public ways of the city or its police jurisdiction or upon public or private premises or a vacant lot. It shall be a def...
Yard Waste Collection
Yard waste too big to bag, limbs, brush, and shrubbery, must be cut to no more than eight feet long and eight inches in diameter before Tuscaloosa's trash crews will take it, City Code Sec. 16-97(b)(2). It has to sit at the curb at least three feet from mailboxes or poles, and only the resident may set it out.
Tuscaloosa Yard Waste and Brush Collection Rules
Some RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 16-97(b)(2) (Ord. No. 2109, §§ 1—5, 11-20-79; Ord. No. 9487, § 14, 3-19-24)
(2)Limbs, brush, shrubbery and other wood items not capable of being bagged as provided in subsection (1) above shall be cut into lengths not exceeding eight (8) feet and widths no larger than eight (8) inches in diameter. Said material shall be placed on the curbside no closer than three (3) feet from any inanimate object in front of the premises on regular collection days only by the occupant...
Dumpster Rules
Commercial haulers licensed under Chapter 7 of the Tuscaloosa City Code need the city's written consent before setting a mechanical container on city property or in a public right-of-way, Sec. 7-192. The city can order any container removed on notice if it becomes a hazard or nuisance.
Tuscaloosa Commercial Dumpster Placement Rules
Significant RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 7-192 (Ord. No. 6134, § 1, 12-21-00)
The city may allow the licensee to place mechanical containers on city-owned property or on public rights-of-way or easements where such placement is necessary. The licensee shall not place such containers on city-owned property or public right-of-way without the express written consent of the City of Tuscaloosa, and shall remove the same upon written notification from the city that the same is...
Collection Schedule
City Code Sec. 16-92(b) requires every occupied residential premises in Tuscaloosa to subscribe to municipal garbage service, which runs once a week. Households can set out up to three city-issued carts per pickup and get one free courtesy pick-up beyond the regular day; extra pick-ups cost a full month's bill.
Tuscaloosa Weekly Garbage Collection Schedule
Some RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 16-92(b) (Ord. No. 5526, § 3, 3-20-97; Ord. No. 9487, § 10, 3-19-24)
Every family unit on every residential premises, as herein defined, within the corporate limits of the city to which municipal garbage collection services, as provided for herein, are made available shall participate in and subscribe to the city garbage collection and disposal system pursuant to the provisions of this article and pay to the city such fees and charges for the same as are establi...
Recycling Rules
Once you set recyclables at the curb, on city right-of-way, or in a city-designated bin in Tuscaloosa, they legally become city property. Only you or the city's authorized contractor may touch them again; scavenging, burning, or scattering them is a separate criminal offense.
Tuscaloosa Recycling Material Ownership Rules
Some RestrictionsTuscaloosa City Code Sec. 16-111 and Sec. 16-112 (Ord. No. 7680, Sec. 2, 6-7-11)
Sec. 16-111. - Ownership of recyclable material. Recyclable materials placed at curbside or in city right-of-way for pickup or in bins or areas designated by the city for recycling becomes the property of the city subject to the following exception and limitation: The depositor of the material may retrieve items from their own containers placed at curbside or on city right-of-way and from mater...