Trash & Services
Why won’t the City pick up my trash if the cart is overfilled?
Overfilled carts will not be picked up because excessive waste increases landfill costs, contributes to litter (closed lids keep trash contained before pickup), and the additional weight from overfilled carts can be a problem for the mechanical arms on trucks. Extra trash in carts also means extra landfill cost that is not accounted for in your monthly cart cost. These additional fees are charged to the City, which affects the cost for the entire community and customer base. Additional carts are strongly recommended for households who need them.
Overfilled carts also violate Bessemer City’s Code of Ordinances.
Related links and documents
Link to this answer: Why won’t the City pick up my trash if the cart is overfilled?
Why did the City stop recycling?
The City provided recycling services until June 2020. The decision to discontinue the program was made to avoid increasing monthly recycling fees for residents, due to shifts in the recycling market and high levels of contamination in recycling bins. Contaminated loads incur additional landfill dumping fees.
To address the issue, the City made efforts to educate residents on proper recycling practices through pamphlets, monthly newsletters, and social media. Despite these efforts, contamination levels remained high.
A Citizen Opinion Survey was also conducted to gather feedback on whether to continue the recycling program.
The City will continue to monitor conditions and explore opportunities to reinstate the program in the future.
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You can also find a service or contact a department. For City records, contact the City Clerk at hhayes@bessemercity.com or 704-629-5542, or submit a public records request.