311

Dial 311 from anywhere in Tuscaloosa for all non-emergency inquiries on city services and information, such as report broken streetlights, potholes, get assistance with permits or licenses, get information on a city-sponsored event, or report a problem with any city-related service. 311 immediately connects you with the correct person or resource to assist you.

Stopped Trains

Tuscaloosa Code of Ordinances prohibit trains from blocking an intersection for more than 5 minutes (Sec. 21-32). If a train stops on the railroad for more than 5 minutes, call 205-349-2121 to report the delay. Tuscaloosa Police Department can ticket the train engineer.

Garbage, Trash, and Recycling

Know the difference between garbage and trash, which impacts what the cities of Tuscaloosa and Northport will and will not collect.

Garbage

Garbage is the day-to-day waste produced in your household that you put in your city-regulated garbage cart and place on the curb on collection days.

If living in a house, your landlord should provide a garbage cart unless otherwise stated in your lease. Environmental Services does not collect bags or other garbage containers placed on the curb or beside the cart. Remove garbage carts from the city right-of-way by 8 a.m. the morning after your collection day, or you may receive fines from the city.

Find your collection day, holiday collection schedules, or see policies on where to store carts in Historic Districts, visit Tuscaloosa’s website.

Trash

Trash is any bulky items, limbs, grass clippings, leaves and other large debris unsuitable for placement in your garbage cart.

Place trash at the curbside before 6 a.m. on collection day more than three feet from mailboxes, cars, fences, etc. Find a list of acceptable/unacceptable trash items, as well as, trash placement and preparation at Tuscaloosa’s website.

If you live in Northport, contact the City of Northport at 205-333-3003 for garbage/trash pickup information.

Recycling

Tuscaloosa City offers two ways to take advantage of the city recycling programs:

  • Curbside recycling collection occurs on the same day as your garbage and/or trash pickup.
  • Drop-off recycling is available at multiple locations across Tuscaloosa.

Learn more about Tuscaloosa Recycling efforts.

UA students may also utilize UA’s recycling resources across campus.