Mobile Trash Pickup Schedule, Recycling & Bulk 2026
Find your Mobile household garbage day, roadside trash schedule, recycling drop-off locations, and 2026 holiday schedule — including Mardi Gras.
City of Mobile · Department of Public Works · Sanitation Division · Updated May 2026
Find Your Mobile Garbage & Trash Collection Day
Mobile operates two separate curbside systems: household garbage (weekly, brown carts) and roadside trash/yard debris (every other week). Select your garbage day or use the official address tool.
👈 Select your day above to see your complete Mobile collection schedule.
⚠ Don’t know your day? Use the official “My Place” address tool at cityofmobile.gov/myplace or call Mobile 311 at (251) 208-5311. More contact options ↓
Mobile Waste Collection — Quick Facts
The City of Mobile’s Sanitation Division operates two separate curbside collection streams plus drop-off recycling: household garbage (weekly, brown carts), and roadside trash and yard debris (every other week). There is no curbside recycling — residents bring recyclables to one of three drop-off recycling centers. Use the “My Place” GIS tool to confirm your exact garbage and trash days. Note that Mardi Gras is an official City holiday that affects collection each February.
Mobile’s Three-Stream System — What Goes Where
Mobile separates waste into three distinct streams, each with its own rules and schedule. Understanding the difference between household garbage and roadside trash is essential — they are collected on different frequencies, use different equipment, and have different rules.
Brown Cart — Household Garbage
Food waste, bagged household refuse, everyday non-recyclable trash. City-issued brown cart only. Weekly collection.
Weekly • Tue–FriRoadside Trash — Yard Debris
Tree limbs, yard debris, discarded furniture, brush, bagged leaves (up to 2 cu. yd. limit). Piled at curb. No brown cart needed.
Every other weekRecycling — Drop-Off Centers
Cans, paper, cardboard, plastics #1–7 (bottles & containers). No glass. No curbside pickup. Bring to 3 center locations.
Drop-off only • 3 locations⏰ Set-Out Rules — Garbage & Trash
- Brown garbage carts: place at curb no earlier than 7:00 p.m. the night before and no later than 6:30 a.m. on collection day.
- Cart opening must face toward the roadway to allow automated truck access.
- Leave sufficient space around the cart for trucks and pedestrians to pass safely.
- Roadside trash/yard debris: pile at the curb on your bi-weekly collection date. Do not mix prohibited items (electronics, appliances, paint, tires, glass) into your trash pile — the entire pile will not be picked up.
- Trash piles must not be placed around fire hydrants, signposts, guy wires, power poles, over water meters, under low-hanging power lines, TV cables, or low tree limbs.
Mobile Holiday Trash & Garbage Schedule 2026
Mobile observes multiple City holidays in 2026, including the unique Mardi Gras holiday observed each February. Makeup days for garbage are typically on Saturday. Roadside trash often has no makeup day. The holiday schedule is subject to change — always verify at cityofmobile.gov/sanitation-holiday-schedule.
| Holiday | 2026 Date | Garbage (Brown Cart) | Roadside Trash | Recycling Centers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Thu, Jan 1 | Makeup Sat, Jan 3 | Makeup Sat, Jan 3 | CLOSED |
| MLK Day | Mon, Jan 19 | CLOSED Makeup Sat, Jan 24 | CLOSED Makeup Sat, Jan 24 | CLOSED |
| Mardi Gras (Monday) | Mon, Feb 16 | Running Tue Feb 17 routes | Running | CLOSED |
| Mardi Gras Day (Tuesday) | Tue, Feb 17 | CLOSED / No makeup | CLOSED / No makeup | CLOSED |
| Good Friday | Fri, Apr 3 | Normal routes | Normal routes | CLOSED |
| Easter Sunday | Sun, Apr 5 | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED |
| Memorial Day | Mon, May 25 | CLOSED / No makeup | CLOSED Trash makeup Sat, May 30 | CLOSED |
| Juneteenth | Fri, Jun 19 | Makeup Sat, Jun 20 | CLOSED / No makeup | CLOSED |
| Independence Day (observed) | Fri, Jul 3 | Normal routes | Normal routes | CLOSED |
| Labor Day | Mon, Sep 7 | CLOSED / No makeup | CLOSED / No makeup | CLOSED |
| Veterans Day | Wed, Nov 11 | Normal routes | Normal routes | CLOSED |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thu, Nov 26 | Makeup Sat, Nov 28 | Makeup Sat, Nov 28 | CLOSED |
| Day after Thanksgiving | Fri, Nov 27 | Running Fri routes | Running Fri routes | CLOSED |
| Christmas Eve | Thu, Dec 24 | Normal routes | Normal routes | CLOSED |
| Christmas Day | Fri, Dec 25 | Makeup Sat, Dec 26 | Makeup Sat, Dec 26 | CLOSED |
Household Garbage Collection — Brown Cart Rules
Household garbage is collected once a week on your designated day (Tuesday–Friday) in the brown city-issued garbage cart. Garbage collection runs both an East and West route map with Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday days. Use the “My Place” tool or the PDF maps to confirm your specific day.
✅ Accepted in Brown Garbage Cart
- Bagged household food waste and general trash
- Glass: can go in the brown garbage cart (glass in small amounts in household trash is acceptable; recycle glass separately if desired)
- Solidified paint: dry latex paint (solidified with cat litter, sand, or QuikCrete) with lid on, placed beside cart
- Bagged leaves, grass clippings, and plants (up to 2 cu. yd. limit at curb)
- Small amounts of medical waste: needles in puncture-proof sealed containers (e.g., laundry detergent jug, tightly closed)
🚫 Not in Brown Garbage Cart
- Electronics (TVs, computers, phones) → call 311 to schedule pickup
- Appliances (refrigerators, AC units, washers) → call 311; Freon-containing units require special handling
- Paint (liquid), stain, varnish → solidify first, then curbside
- Tires → scrap tire program (see below)
- Construction debris, sheetrock, insulation, fencing
- HVAC units, sinks, bathtubs
- Hot ashes
- Household chemicals, hazardous waste → HHW events
🏊 Garbage Assistance Program
If you have a medical condition that prevents you from placing your garbage cart at the curb and have no one to assist, you may be eligible for the Garbage Assistance Service. Download the form at cityofmobile.gov/GarbageAssistanceForm. Have your physician sign and verify your condition and return it to the address on the form. Questions: call Mobile 311 at (251) 208-5311.
Roadside Trash & Yard Debris — Every Other Week
Roadside trash (also called “residential trash”) is collected every other week and includes tree limbs, yard debris, discarded furniture, and bulky household items. The City divides the city into North and South zones with a rotating bi-weekly schedule. Use the GIS “My Place” tool or check the pickup date maps at cityofmobile.gov/residential-trash-pickup to confirm your bi-weekly dates.
✅ Accepted as Roadside Trash
- TRASH: tree limbs, tree/yard debris, discarded furniture, bedding
- Bagged leaves, grass clippings (up to 2 cubic yard limit: 3’×3’×6’ or 15-bag equivalent)
- Bulk furniture (sofas, chairs, mattresses, dressers)
- Fencing (residential, non-contractor debris)
- Branches bundled and piled at curb
🚫 Not Accepted as Roadside Trash
- Electronics → call 311; or recycling centers
- Appliances with Freon (fridges, AC units) → call 311
- Paint, paint cans → solidify or HHW event
- Tires → scrap tire program
- Construction/contractor debris → contractor must remove
- Glass in large volumes → recycling centers
- HVAC units, sinks, bathtubs, sheetrock
- Household chemicals or hazardous waste
🍇 Excess Trash Over the Limit
Bagged leaves, plants, and grass clippings can be put at the curb as long as they do not exceed the 2 cubic yard limit (3’×3’×6’, or 15-bag equivalent). The City will remove residential trash that exceeds this limit for a fee — call Mobile 311 at (251) 208-5311 for pricing and scheduling.
Recycling in Mobile — Three Drop-Off Centers
Mobile uses single-stream recycling drop-off centers — no sorting required. There is no curbside recycling pickup. Residents bring recyclables to any of three locations. Free 18-gallon take-home bins are available at any center while supplies last. Glass is not accepted at any City of Mobile recycling facility.
♻ Pinehill Recycling Center
2460 Pinehill Drive (directly behind police headquarters)
Hours: Mon–Fri, 7 a.m.–6 p.m. • Sat–Sun, 7 a.m.–4 p.m.
Electronics drop-off in blue bins (no TVs)
♻ WAC Recycling Center (Museum Drive)
4851 Museum Drive (directly in front of Police 2nd Precinct)
Hours: Mon–Fri, 7 a.m.–6 p.m. • Sat–Sun, 7 a.m.–4 p.m.
Electronics drop-off in blue bins (no TVs)
♻ Parkway Recycling Center
Dauphin Island Parkway (Peninsula location, opened April 2024)
Hours: Mon–Fri, 7 a.m.–6 p.m. • Sat–Sun, 7 a.m.–4 p.m.
Electronics drop-off in blue bins (no TVs)
🔋 Free Take-Home Bins
Free 18-gallon take-home recycling bins are available at all three recycling centers, on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
Funded through a grant from The Recycling Partnership.
City of Mobile residents only.
✅ Accepted at Recycling Centers
- Aluminum and steel cans & lids
- Plastic bottles and containers (all types, rinsed)
- Newspapers, office paper, junk mail, envelopes
- Flattened cardboard boxes
- Magazines and catalogs
- Food and beverage cartons (rinsed)
- Paper bags and phone books
- Electronics (small, in blue bins): phones, computers, tablets, game consoles, CD/DVD players, cell phones, surge protectors — no TVs
🚫 Not Accepted at Recycling Centers
- Glass of any kind → small amounts in brown garbage cart
- Plastic bags → grocery store drop-off
- Styrofoam or foam packaging
- Gift bags with bows or plastic decoration
- Food-soiled items
- TVs → Ransom Recycling, 320 S. Craft Hwy, Chickasaw ($30 fee for CRT TVs only)
- Hazardous materials → HHW events
- Materials from businesses (residential use only)
- Non-Mobile residents
Electronics, Appliances & Special Item Pickup
Electronics and appliances must never be placed in your regular garbage cart or trash pile. Call Mobile 311 to place a separate work order for pickup, or use the drop-off options below.
💻 Electronics Pickup & Drop-Off
- Curbside pickup: Call (251) 208-5311 to place a work order for electronics pickup. Do not place electronics in your trash pile — if included, the entire pile will not be collected.
- Drop-off at recycling centers: Small electronics (phones, computers, tablets, game consoles, CD/DVD players) can be dropped in the blue bins at any of the three recycling centers during operating hours.
- TVs & large electronics: TVs are not accepted at City recycling centers. Take them to Ransom Recycling, 320 South Craft Highway, Chickasaw (CRT TVs: $30 disposal fee; flat screens free or see Best Buy for recycling). United Cerebral Palsy at (251) 479-4900 may offer home pickup for elderly and disabled residents.
💧 Appliance Pickup
- Call (251) 208-5311 to place a work order for appliance pickup.
- Appliances containing Freon, oil, gas, or other hazardous materials (refrigerators, freezers, AC units) will not be picked up unless the hazardous material has been properly removed. Contact a licensed appliance disposal service or the HHW program for guidance.
- Standard appliances (washer, dryer, stove, water heater) can be scheduled through Mobile 311.
Household Hazardous Waste Events — Free for Mobile Residents
The City of Mobile hosts periodic Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Events for City of Mobile residents, free of charge. No registration required. Events have been held at Seals Park, 540 Texas Street, typically from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. No contractors, businesses, or trailers. Check cityofmobile.gov/hhw for the 2026 event schedule.
✅ Accepted at HHW Events
- Automotive fluids: motor oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, gasoline
- Aerosol cans
- Fertilizers and lawn chemicals
- Fluorescent tubes and CFL bulbs
- Paint, stain, varnish (liquid)
- Household cleaners, solvents
- Pesticides, herbicides, insecticides
- Batteries (automotive, rechargeable, alkaline)
- Pool chemicals
🚫 Not Accepted at HHW Events
- Tires → scrap tire program
- Firearms or ammunition
- Electronics → recycling centers or Ransom Recycling
- Pharmaceuticals or medical waste
- Appliances or large equipment
- Radioactive materials or explosives
- Commercial, contractor, or business waste
- Trailers not accepted
Scrap Tire Disposal in Mobile
Tires cannot be placed in garbage carts, trash piles, or recycling centers. The City of Mobile offers a scrap tire program for residents. Check the current scrap tire information at cityofmobile.gov/scrap-tires for drop-off locations, events, and requirements.
⛏ Scrap Tire Options
- Visit cityofmobile.gov/scrap-tires for current drop-off events and locations.
- Many tire retailers accept used tires when purchasing new ones — call ahead to confirm.
- The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) periodically hosts regional scrap tire collection events — check adem.alabama.gov.
What to Do If Your Pickup Was Missed in Mobile
- Confirm your garbage and trash days using the “My Place” GIS tool at cityofmobile.gov/myplace or call Mobile 311 at (251) 208-5311. Confirm that your roadside trash week is active (every other week).
- Check for a holiday adjustment. Many holidays have makeup days on Saturday. Juneteenth has a Saturday makeup for garbage; roadside trash has no makeup. Verify the current holiday schedule at cityofmobile.gov/sanitation-holiday-schedule.
- Check set-out rules. Brown garbage cart must face the roadway and be at the curb by 6:30 a.m. on collection day (no earlier than 7:00 p.m. the night before). Roadside trash must not include prohibited items — if any prohibited items were mixed in, the pile was likely skipped intentionally.
- Report the missed pickup by calling Mobile 311 at (251) 208-5311, submitting a request through the Mobile 311 app, or visiting cityofmobile.gov/311.
Mobile Trash & Recycling Tips Every Resident Should Know
🏠 New to Mobile or Just Moved In?
Use the “My Place” GIS tool at cityofmobile.gov/myplace to find your household garbage day (weekly) and your roadside trash days (bi-weekly). There is no curbside recycling — bring recyclables to the nearest recycling center (Pinehill Dr., Museum Dr., or Dauphin Island Pkwy). Your brown garbage cart should be at your address — if missing, call Mobile 311 at (251) 208-5311. Sign up for text alerts for holiday changes.
🎍 Mardi Gras — Mobile’s Unique Holiday
Mobile is the birthplace of American Mardi Gras, and both Lundi Gras (Monday) and Mardi Gras Day (Tuesday) are official City holidays each February. In 2026, Mardi Gras Day falls on February 17. On Monday (Feb 16), garbage crews run Tuesday’s routes. On Tuesday, all collection is cancelled with no makeup. Plan ahead and put your garbage out Sunday evening if possible.
🚫 5 Common Mistakes Mobile Residents Make
- Putting electronics or appliances in the roadside trash pile — the entire pile will not be picked up; call 311 for a separate work order
- Expecting curbside recycling — Mobile has no curbside recycling; use the three drop-off centers
- Putting glass in recycling centers — glass is not accepted at any City recycling facility
- Missing the bi-weekly roadside trash date — always confirm your North or South zone schedule using the GIS map
- Forgetting that garbage collection runs on Mardi Gras Monday using Tuesday’s routes — check if your address is on that route
Contact Mobile Sanitation & Public Works
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| Mobile 311 | 📞 (251) 208-5311 — missed pickups, work orders for electronics/appliances, garbage cart requests, service questions. Also: dial 311 from a Mobile city phone. Download the Mobile 311 app for 24/7 requests. |
| “My Place” Address Lookup | cityofmobile.gov/myplace — enter your address to find garbage and trash collection days, district, and city services. |
| Holiday Schedule | cityofmobile.gov/sanitation-holiday-schedule — full 2026 holiday schedule for garbage, roadside trash, and recycling centers. Subject to change. |
| Text/SMS Alerts | cityofmobile.gov/text-my-gov — sign up for text alerts about holiday schedule changes and service updates. |
| Trash & Garbage Website | cityofmobile.gov/trash-and-garbage — links to all schedule maps, collection rules, landfill info, holiday schedules, and recycling. |
| Recycling Centers | Pinehill Dr. • Museum Dr. (4851) • Dauphin Island Pkwy • Mon–Fri 7 a.m.–6 p.m. • Sat–Sun 7 a.m.–4 p.m. • City residents only • No glass • No TVs • cityofmobile.gov/recycling |
| Household Hazardous Waste | cityofmobile.gov/hhw — seasonal collection events, typically at Seals Park (540 Texas St.), 9 a.m.–1 p.m., free for City of Mobile residents. |
| TV & Large Electronics | Ransom Recycling • 320 S. Craft Hwy, Chickasaw • $30 fee for CRT TVs only • Flat screens free. United Cerebral Palsy: (251) 479-4900 for home pickup (elderly & disabled). |
| Scrap Tires | cityofmobile.gov/scrap-tires — current drop-off locations and events. Never in garbage cart or trash pile. |
| Public Works Department | cityofmobile.gov/public-works — all sanitation, infrastructure, and environmental services. |
Frequently Asked Questions — Mobile Trash Pickup
Still Can’t Find Your Collection Day?
The most reliable way to confirm your Mobile garbage and trash collection days is through the official “My Place” GIS address tool. Enter your address to find your household garbage day, trash pickup schedule, council district, and more.
🔍 Official Mobile Lookup & Contact Options
All of the following are official sources for Mobile collection schedule information:
🔍 Open “My Place” Tool 📞 Call (251) 208-5311| “My Place” GIS Tool | cityofmobile.gov/myplace — enter your address to find your household garbage day, roadside trash schedule, district, and city services. |
| Mobile 311 | (251) 208-5311 — missed pickups, work orders, cart requests, all city service questions. Also: Mobile 311 app (iOS & Android). |
| Holiday Schedule | cityofmobile.gov/sanitation-holiday-schedule — full 2026 holiday schedule. Includes Mardi Gras, makeup days, and recycling center closures. |
| Trash & Garbage Page | cityofmobile.gov/trash-and-garbage — all schedule maps (East/West by day), collection rules, landfill info, holiday schedule, recycling. |
| Text Alerts | cityofmobile.gov/text-my-gov — sign up for SMS notifications about holiday changes and service updates. |
| Recycling Centers | cityofmobile.gov/recycling — locations, hours, accepted materials. No glass. No TVs. City residents only. |
You will leave this website when using any of the links above. The official “My Place” GIS tool is the most complete source for address-specific collection information.
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