Auburn, AL Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)

The City of Auburn operates an automated curbside collection system, so cart placement is specific. Garbage carts should be positioned 'within 3 feet behind the curb/roadside, away from poles, mailboxes, vehicles,' with the lid opening facing the street so the truck's automated arm can lift and empty them. All containers placed out for collection must be situated to provide unobstructed access by collection personnel. Carts must be at the curbside by 6 a.m. on the scheduled day, and while they may be set out the night before, they must be pulled back to the rear of the residence after collection. For recycling, the blue recycling cart should be 'placed a few feet away from the trash and garbage and within three (3) feet from the roadway,' keeping the two carts separated enough for the automated equipment to service each one. Yard waste and bulky 'trash' is also subject to placement limits: it must be set 'within three feet from the roadway, but not in the street and/or on sidewalks,' in front of the resident's own home, and not on medians, vacant or abandoned property, or in roadway gutters, ditches, culverts, or the city's storm drain system. Carts that are blocked by parked cars, set behind obstacles, or placed with the opening facing the wrong direction may be skipped because the automated truck cannot reach or properly empty them. Proper spacing and orientation are therefore essential for reliable pickup. Residents who need cart placement guidance for their specific street can contact Environmental Services at (334) 501-3080.