How to Recycle in Fairhope:

1. The City utilizes a curbside bin collection recycle model.

• All recycle items should be placed into 18 gallon curbside recycle bins. You may use your own bins or the City will provide them to you at no charge.
• 2 bins are usually sufficient for the weekly recycle pick up. If you need additional bins, please call.

What goes into each bin?

• Recyclable items may be mixed in each bin as needed;
• Paper / Plastic in Bin #01
• Food & Beverage glass and metal cans in Bin #02
• Large Cardboard & Boxes need to be broken down flat and placed on ground near the bins for pick up.

Can I use a single large garbage can for my recycle pick up ?

• Due to the resulting high levels of garbage and contamination, cans are not allowed to be used for the curbside recycle program.
• The Recycle crew needs to be able to see the items in the bins before they are collected into the truck.
• This ensures that only clean acceptable recyclable items will be collected.
• Junk, Garbage, and food contaminated items will not be collected.  

• All items in the curbside bins will be inspected and placed into the back of the recycle truck.
• This mixed recycle load is then transported to the Cities recycle vendor, Emerald Coast Utility Authority, in Pensacola, Florida.  
• At the ECUA facility, all recyclable items are automatically weighed, graded, sorted and bailed for sale to industry customers.
• Recycling in Fairhope is simple and easy;

*Currently we are averaging 92.00 Tons per month of recyclable items*

**Your help in making this program successful is appreciated**

Should jars and bottles be rinsed before recycling?

Yes, please! Jars and bottles should be rinsed and food-free before being moved to a bin.

What does the City NOT accept?

Often, homeowners run out of space in their garbage cans and try to make items that are not technically recyclable fit the mold. These “wish recycling” items include garden hoses, clothing, vinyl, tennis shoes, kids toys, flower pots, diapers and anything labeled industrial plastic. None of those items are recyclable.

How can a homeowner get a recycling bin?

Call our Public Works Department at 251-928-8003 and make the request. You’ll need to leave your last name, address and phone number with the request. We provide 2-3 bins per customer depending on the request.

What does it cost to get a recycling bin?

Recycling bins are provided free to homeowners.

Why do homeowners have to separate recycling materials?

By separating materials, it allows sanitation workers to maintain the integrity and cleanliness of the fill. When items are in the proper bins, workers can double-check to make sure that garbage or other items that aren’t recyclable don’t end up in the truck.

If we’re separating our recyclables, why is everything going in the same truck?

Each week we take 8-10 truck loads of recyclable materials to the Emerald Coast Utility Authority’s Materials Recycling Facility in Cantonment, Fla. This state-of-the art center has cutting edge machines that separate the materials by weight, allowing for proper sorting to happen.

When garbage is inadvertently included in the materials, it will slow down and often stop the machinery – costing the City money.

Does the City offer electronics recycling?

While electronics are not picked up curbside, residents can drop off electronics for recycling six days a week at the Fairhope Public Works yard, 555 South Section Street, Fairhope, AL 36532. This drop-off service is free.

How tons of materials were recycled in Fairhope last year?

In 2018, 1,835 tons of materials were recycled.