The weekly curbside recycling program that collects recyclables in Madison County now is being replaced this summer with monthly pickup using larger, rolling carts.

The Solid Waste Disposal Authority said Friday that the new, free program will be called Recycling Alliance of North Alabama (RANA). It will collect recycled items in Huntsville and Madison and, for the first time, areas of Madison County including Gurley, Owens Cross Roads and Triana. That will expand service to some 25,000 homes that haven’t had recycling pickup.

The new recycling program is “opt-in,” meaning you must must sign up by June 28 to get on the route and receive the free, blue 95-gallon carts. Cart deliveries will start in July, and residents will be notified then of their pickup date.

“We designed RANA to be an ever-evolving program to fit the recycling needs of our residents and continue to make the City of Huntsville, City of Madison and Madison County sustainable places to live,” said John R. “Doc” Holladay, executive director of SWDA. “Since residents must register for the new program, it is very important that all residents sign up either through our website or by calling in. We will work diligently to eliminate any potential interruptions in the program.”

Having the program “opt-in” makes the most sense to assure that the thousands of homes that haven’t had recycling before can get it, Holladay said. Sign-ups will also allow the authority to skip streets that have no registered homes.

Items accepted will include #1 and #2 plastic bottles (if the neck is smaller than the bottom), aluminum, steel and bi-metal cans, mixed paper and cardboard. This list of items and a list of things not to put in the carts will be etched into the top of each cart, Holladay said.

Used motor oil and batteries will no longer be picked up at the curb. The authority is now operating a Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 1055 A Cleaner Way in Huntsville to take those items Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.

In order to continue home recycling and get the rolling cart, call (256) 801-CART (2278) or go online to www.recycling-alliance.com.