Dear Department of Public Works Employee,

The welfare of our employees and residents is important to us, which is why we find it necessary to make adjustments in how we deliver city services during the COVID-19 crisis. Currently, city crews pick up recycling every Wednesday. However, starting Monday, April 13, there will be a change.

Recycling pick-up services will be temporarily halted until further notice. However, recycling in those neighborhoods participating in the City Haul Pilot Program will continue. Since the crisis hit Birmingham in mid-March, household trash volume has increased tremendously because more people are at home or working from home now. By temporarily removing the day for recycling, this extra day will give employees time to recover before reporting to work again. Residents, however, may still drop off recyclable items to Birmingham Recycling and Recovery, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. They are located at 9 – 41st St. South. Their phone number is 205-591-8201.

We ask that you please understand the reasoning behind this effort, as it was made with employees and residents in mind. We hope that this will be a temporary change as we and so many others deal with the COVID-19 crisis.

Pick-up schedules for household trash, which is collected twice a week, will not change. Those neighborhoods participating in the City Haul Pilot Program will continue to receive household trash service once per week on their designated service date. Also, the regular pick-up schedules for bulk trash and tree limbs, which is collected every three weeks, will not change. The city’s Eastern Area Landfill will remain open, Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. They are located at 2787 Alton Road. Their number is 205-655-3391.

This also means that there will be a change in the schedule from 5/8s to 4/10s for the following DPW divisions: Construction, Horticulture, Animal Control and Landfill. These divisions currently work five days a week at eight hours per day. Starting April 13, these divisions will work four days a week at 10 hours a day and be off either Friday, Saturday and Sunday or Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Facilities services is currently on 4/10s. Please consult with your division supervisor on your designated off days.

Our downtown White Wing refuse and trash litter teams will see a change in their schedule, too. They are currently on 5/8s. We now have to go to a weekly rotation. Half of the team will be on 5/8s for one week and the other half of the team will be on 4/10s. Then, the next week the teams will switch. This will give employees time to recover and rest before returning to work.

Last week, we implemented a social distancing practice in transporting refuse crews to work sites. That will not change. Grass cutting will also continue.

The COVID-19 crisis has also affected the operations of the Greater Birmingham Humane Society and the type calls the Animal Control Team handles right now. The society will only now accept Priority 1 animals, which are bite complaints, dangerous or aggressive dogs, neglect and cruelty calls, injured or sick strays or calls requiring law enforcement assistance. This means that the city’s Animal Control Team will only pick up Priority 1 animals.

We are facing challenging times, but we find it important to address issues that are before us. We will continue to offer essential city services in a safe and effective manner for our employees. Social distancing will remain a priority.

Thank you.

Walter Gibbins

Director of Public Works