Tuscaloosa, AL trash pickup schedule
Tuscaloosa trash and recycling: who collects, how often, how to find your pickup day, and what changes on holidays in 2026.
Population 114,316 (Census 2025 estimate)Last checked Not affiliated with any city, county or hauler.
Contents10 sections
Quick answer
| Who collects | The city collects City Environmental Services Department collects garbage (cart), curbside recycling (bin) and 'trash' (bulky items, limbs, yard waste) once a week, all on the same day; routes run Monday-Thursday. Garbage service is mandatory for single-family homes in city limits; multi-family/non-residential may need a licensed private hauler.1 |
|---|---|
| How often | Trash weekly, recycling weekly, same day as garbage, yard waste weekly, same day as garbage14 |
| Set out | cart at the curb by 6 a.m. on collection day; remove from right-of-way by 8 a.m. the next day1 |
| Your pickup day | Zone map: tuscaloosa.maps.arcgis.com1 · Look up your day here |
| Holiday | Veterans Day, Wed, Nov 11, 2026: Delayed one day. Wednesday routes collected Thursday; Thursday routes Friday (Mon/Tue normal)2 |
Bulk items: set-days (weekly curbside 'trash' on the regular collection day) (details). Drop-off sites: 3 listed (hours and fees).
Tuscaloosa holiday trash schedule 2026
| City’s rule | No pickups on City-observed holidays; when a holiday interrupts the schedule, routes resume the next scheduled workday. The city publishes the effect for each 2026 holiday (Monday holidays: one-day delay all week).12 |
|---|---|
| Official notice | tuscaloosa.com2 |
| Upcoming 2027 | City holiday dates for 2027 are published (e.g., New Year's Fri Jan 1, MLK Jan 18, Memorial May 31, Juneteenth observed Fri June 18, Independence observed Mon July 5, Labor Sept 6, Veterans Thu Nov 11, Thanksgiving Nov 25-26, Christmas Eve Fri Dec 24, Christmas observed Mon Dec 27); route effects for 2027 not yet published3 |
| Holiday | Date | Pickup | What the city says |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thu, Jan 1, 2026 | Moved to Friday | Thursday routes collected Friday2 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Mon, Jan 19, 2026 | Delayed one day | Collection delayed one day all week2 |
| Presidents' Day | Mon, Feb 16, 2026 | Not on the city’s list | Not on the city’s list for this year |
| Memorial Day | Mon, May 25, 2026 | Delayed one day | Mon->Tue May 26, Tue->Wed, Wed->Thu, Thu->Fri May 299 |
| Juneteenth | Fri, Jun 19, 2026 | No change | Routes on normal schedule2 |
| Independence Day (Fourth of July) | Fri, Jul 3, 2026 | No change | City observes Friday July 3; routes on normal schedule2 |
| Labor Day | Mon, Sep 7, 2026 | Delayed one day | Mon->Tue Sept 8, Tue->Wed, Wed->Thu, Thu->Fri Sept 118 |
| Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day | Mon, Oct 12, 2026 | Not on the city’s list | Not on the city’s list for this year |
| Veterans Day | Wed, Nov 11, 2026 | Delayed one day | Wednesday routes collected Thursday; Thursday routes Friday (Mon/Tue normal)2 |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thu, Nov 26, 2026 | Moved to Friday | Thursday routes collected Friday Nov 272 |
| Day after Thanksgiving | Fri, Nov 27, 2026 | Changes; see details | City holiday; no route change listed for the day (no Friday routes; Thursday routes run this day)2 |
| Christmas Eve | Thu, Dec 24, 2026 | Moved to Saturday | Thursday routes collected Saturday Dec 262 |
| Christmas Day | Fri, Dec 25, 2026 | Changes; see details | City holiday; no separate route note (Thursday routes moved to Saturday)2 |
Check your own day for the next three holidays with the holiday delay checker, or download a pickup calendar.
Bulk trash pickup in Tuscaloosa
| How it works | set-days (weekly curbside 'trash' on the regular collection day)1 |
|---|---|
| How to request | no booking; place at the curb by 6 a.m. on collection day, not in the street1 |
| Limits | limbs under 8 ft long and 8 in. diameter; leaves/small items bagged; 3 ft from mailboxes, cars, fences; not under utility lines; refrigerators empty and taped shut or doors removed; appliances collected separately and recycled1 |
| Fees | free for active City garbage customers1 |
| Not accepted |
Recycling in Tuscaloosa
| Pickup | weekly, same day as garbage4 |
|---|---|
| Type | city-provided curbside recycling bin (free); sorting method (single- vs dual-stream) not stated by the city4 |
| Glass | drop-off only4 |
| Plastics | #1 and #2 containers only4 |
Accepted
Programs
Yard waste, food scraps and seasonal pickups
| Yard waste pickup | yes, with weekly curbside 'trash' collection1 |
|---|---|
| Season | year-round1 |
| How often | weekly, same day as garbage1 |
| Rules | bag leaves and small items; limbs under 8 ft long and 8 in. diameter; no contractor/tree-trimmer waste1 |
| Food scraps | Not published by the city (official page) |
| Christmas trees | 2025-26 season (latest published): free live Christmas tree and greenery recycling Dec. 26-Jan. 6 at the Curry Environmental Services Facility, 3440 Reese Phifer Ave.; drop off any time; remove all decorations and lights (light strands recyclable on site); artificial trees not accepted (thrift stores/non-profits suggested); holiday garbage trailer and extra cardboard bin at Curry facility and Verner Elementary. 2026-27 details not yet published.12 |
| Leaf collection | Not published by the city (official page) |
| Cleanup events |
|
Drop-off sites: landfill, recycling and hazardous waste
Richard A. Curry Environmental Complex (electronics recycling)
| Type | Recycling center |
|---|---|
| Run by | The city |
| Address | 3440 Reese Phifer Ave., Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 · Map4 |
| Hours | weekdays 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (call 205-248-4900 ahead for large quantities)4 |
| Fees | free4 |
| Who can use it | West Alabama residents and organizations4 |
Drop-off recycling trailers (15 sites, e.g. Tuscaloosa Environmental Services, 3311 Reese Phifer Ave.; Kentuck at Queen City, 1901 Jack Warner Pkwy.; McAbee Activity Center, 3801 Loop Rd.)
| Type | Recycling center |
|---|---|
| Run by | The city |
| Address | see tuscaloosa.com4 |
| Hours | Not published by the city (official page) |
| Fees | free4 |
Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Day (annual one-day event)
| Type | Household hazardous waste |
|---|---|
| Run by | city (with Nucor Steel) |
| Address | Public Safety Logistics building, 3311 Reese Phifer Ave. · Map11 |
| Hours | 2026 event: Sat. June 6, 8-11 a.m. (next date not yet announced)11 |
| Fees | free11 |
| Who can use it | Tuscaloosa County residents only; ID checked11 |
Item guides: Mattress · Couch and furniture · Appliances · Paint · Batteries · Electronics · Tires · Motor oil · Christmas tree.
Missed pickup and contacts
| Missed pickup form | tuscaloosa.com (Tuscaloosa 311)1 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 205-248-4900 (Environmental Services)1 |
| 311 | Tuscaloosa 311: dial 311 within city limits or 205-248-53111 |
| Official website | tuscaloosa.com1 |
| [email protected]1 |
Nearby cities
All Alabama cities: Alabama trash pickup schedules.
Tuscaloosa trash pickup FAQ
What day is trash picked up in Tuscaloosa?
Trash is collected weekly. Tuscaloosa does not use one citywide day: your day depends on your address. Look it up with the city’s zone map (tuscaloosa.maps.arcgis.com).
Is trash picked up on Thanksgiving Day 2026 in Tuscaloosa?
Thanksgiving Day falls on Thu, Nov 26, 2026. Moved to Friday: Thursday routes collected Friday Nov 27
Is trash picked up on Christmas Day 2026 in Tuscaloosa?
Christmas Day falls on Fri, Dec 25, 2026. Changes; see details: City holiday; no separate route note (Thursday routes moved to Saturday)
Is trash picked up on New Year's Day 2026 in Tuscaloosa?
New Year's Day falls on Thu, Jan 1, 2026. Moved to Friday: Thursday routes collected Friday
How do I get rid of bulky items in Tuscaloosa?
set-days (weekly curbside 'trash' on the regular collection day). no booking; place at the curb by 6 a.m. on collection day, not in the street Fees: free for active City garbage customers.
Does Tuscaloosa recycle glass?
Glass: drop-off only.
How do I report a missed trash pickup in Tuscaloosa?
Use the city’s online form (tuscaloosa.com) or call 205-248-4900 (Environmental Services).
Sources
- 1 Garbage, Trash & RecyclingCity · tuscaloosa.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 2 Holiday Schedule (2026 City Observed Holidays)City · tuscaloosa.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 3 City Observed Holidays 2026-2030 (PDF)City · assets.caboosecms.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 4 RecyclingCity · tuscaloosa.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 5 Environmental ServicesCity · tuscaloosa.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 6 ESD Pickup Day Boundaries (ArcGIS FeatureServer layer)City · services1.arcgis.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 7 City of Tuscaloosa Holiday Schedule (Dec. 18, 2025)City · tuscaloosa.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 8 Labor Day Holiday Schedule (Sept. 2, 2026)City · tuscaloosa.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 9 Memorial Day Holiday Schedule (May 21, 2026)City · tuscaloosa.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 10 Holiday Schedule & Tree Recycling (Dec. 16, 2024)City · tuscaloosa.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 11 Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Day, June 6, 2026City · tuscaloosa.com · checked October 30, 2026
- 12 Tree Recycling & Holiday Garbage Drop-off (Dec. 22, 2025)City · tuscaloosa.com · checked October 30, 2026
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Second-pass verification against every source: November 1, 2026. Not affiliated with any city, county or hauler.