Frequently Asked Questions

• When is garbage, trash (e.g., bulky waste/yard trimmings), and recycling collected in my area?
• Contact our office at 501-3080 to ascertain your scheduled collection day.
• I am new to Auburn. How do I activate my residential garbage collection services?
• When activating your water account with the Auburn Water Works Board office, you will be asked to complete a "green card." The green card is used to establish your garbage service, which is then charged to your water bill.
• NOTE: If you live in an area where city water services are not offered, please contact our office @ 501-3080 for additional information.

• What is the fee for residential garbage collection and what services are included in the fee?
• The fee for curbside collection is $17.00 per month. The fee for backdoor collection, which is only offered to customers living in "grandfathered" areas, is $26.50 per month. The fees include the collection of household garbage, trash (bulky waste - limbs, grass clippings, etc.), and recycling.
• What is the difference between backdoor and curbside garbage collection services?
• Curbside collection requires the customer to roll their city-issued garbage cart to the curb or roadside. Backdoor collection affords the customer the opportunity to place the cart at the backdoor of the residence or other such location as deemed convenient by Environmental Services. All containers placed out for collection must be situated in such a fashion to provide unobstructed access by collection personnel.
• NOTE: Customers living in areas designated for curbside garbage collection service (areas annexed into the city after 1997 and those living in majority duplex/townhouse areas) are required to subscribe to this service.

• How do I obtain a city-issued garbage cart? Is there a charge?
• Contact the Environmental Services Department at 501-3080 or 365-A North Donahue Drive for more information. There is no charge to the customer for the cart.
• If I move to another residence within the City of Auburn, do I take my City issued garbage cart with me?
• No. Garbage carts are tracked via the serial number depicted on the cart, so we ask that you contact our office for additional information prior to moving.
• Are there limitations on the volume of trash (bulky waste/yard and tree trimmings) that am I allowed to place out for collection on my scheduled collection day?
• Each residence is limited to 5 cubic yards (6 feet x 6 feet x 4 feet) of material each week. Debris piles in excess of this limit may be accessed additional charges.
• What does the city recycle?
• The city provides curbside recycling collection services for its customers and will collect the following materials: aluminum, cardboard, newspaper, glass (clear and brown), plastic (#1 and #2 BOTTLES only), and steel (tin) cans. All of the aforementioned recyclables are accepted at the RecycleAuburn drop-off center, in addition to the following: Green glass, magazines/mixed paper, telephone books, rechargeable and non-rechargeable transistor batteries. Computer equipment generated by the city's residential customers is also recycled, but only by appointment. Computer items must be handled in a special manner. Please contact Environmental Services (501-3080) for an appointment to drop-off your computer equipment.
• Where does my waste and recycling go after it is collected?
• Household Garbage - Transported to the Salem Waste Disposal, Inc. facility located in Salem, AL. This facility is permitted as a Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Landfill by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and is therefore certified to receive and deposit household garbage.
• Recycling - Transported to Waste Recycling, Inc. located in Opelika, AL. This facility packages the commodities and typically ships those items to various locations around the southeastern united states for processing.
• Trash - Transported to Sand Hill Recycling Center, Inc. located in Auburn, AL. This facility is permitted by the Alabama Department of Public Health to receive such material. Wood debris is mulched and white goods (appliances) are recycled. All other material that is not recyclable is transported to a permitted Construction and Demolition (C and D) facility or handled otherwise as allowed under Alabama regulations.
• When does the street sweeper sweep my area?
• Barring uncontrollable circumstances that may affect the schedule, the street sweeper is scheduled to sweep most areas on a 4-week rotating basis. For further information, please contact our office.
• How often is litter collected along City right-of-way areas?
• The litter-detail crew is scheduled to patrol the city's streets on a rotating schedule. Please contact our office for further information regarding scheduling or if you would like to participate in Keep Auburn Beautiful (affiliate of Keep America Beautiful) events geared towards litter reduction and prevention efforts within the City.