Recycling Program

The City of Decatur's recycling program underwent big changes in January 2011. The new, larger 65-gallon carts will be picked up every other week. The following chart details whether your neighborhood is designated as a "red" route or a "blue" route. The red routes are picked up on even-numbered weeks. The blue routes are picked up on odd-numbered weeks. For your convenience, download the color-coded calendar and corresponding route map.

 

When the recycling program runs in your neighborhood:
BLUE ROUTE Homes with Tuesday garbage pickup located north of Magnolia Street and east of Somerville Road Southeast.
Homes with Wednesday garbage pickup located east of Sixth Avenue (U.S. 31).
Homes with Thursday garbage pickup located west of Spring Avenue and east of Danville Road Southwest, plus all of Chapel Hill Road and south to the city limits.
Homes with Friday garbage pickup located north of Austinville Road, south of Eighth Street and east of Beltline Road Southwest.
RED ROUTE Homes with Tuesday garbage pickup located north of 14th Street and west of Somerville Road.
Homes with Wednesday garbage pickup located west of Sixth Avenue (U.S. 31).
Homes with Thursday garbage pickup located west of Danville Road and north of Chapel Hill Road Southwest.
Homes with Friday garbage pickup located west of Central Parkway and north of Eighth Street Southwest.

 

FAQs on the New Program

  • Residents may keep their old blue bins for other uses. Please do not put the old bins in the new carts as they cannot be recycled.
  • The new recycling program will run every other week.
  • Bins should be placed by the street unless the residence is a townhome with a concrete alley.
  • Residents who do not wish to participate or who receive two recycling bins should call 256-341-4770 or 256-341-4772.
  • Corrugated cardboard can now be accepted to be recycled. For a full list of items that can and cannot be recycled, visit the Recycling Department web page.