If you live in the unincorporated areas of Jefferson County, Alabama, your curbside recycling is handled by Meridian Waste under contract with the Jefferson County Commission.
Knowing exactly what goes in your cart — and what doesn’t — helps keep your recycling from getting rejected at the facility.
This guide covers accepted materials, rejected items, plastic resin codes, the glass policy, contamination rules, and local drop-off locations for 2026.
All information is sourced directly from Meridian Waste’s official Jefferson County Collection Guidelines and the Jefferson County Commission’s website.
Quick note: If you live within an incorporated city — Birmingham, Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Bessemer, or others — your city may run a separate recycling program with different rules. This guide applies to unincorporated Jefferson County only.
Article Summary
- Meridian Waste collects curbside recycling for unincorporated Jefferson County, AL
- Accepted plastics are #1, #2, #3, #5, and #7 — bottles and containers only
- Glass is not accepted curbside — drop it off at the county’s biannual HHW events
- All non-paper recyclables must be rinsed and have labels removed
- Nothing placed outside your cart will be collected
- Electronics, hazardous materials, and e-waste have separate drop-off options countywide
What Is Accepted in Your Curbside Recycling Cart?
Meridian Waste accepts the following materials in your curbside recycling cart in unincorporated Jefferson County:
Plastics (bottles and containers only):
- Plastic #1 (PET) — water bottles, soda bottles
- Plastic #2 (HDPE) — milk jugs, detergent bottles
- Plastic #3 (PVC) — shampoo bottles
- Plastic #5 (PP) — yogurt tubs, bottle caps
- Plastic #7 (Other) — large water jugs, some food containers
Metals:
- Aluminum cans
- Tin and steel food cans (including pet food cans)
Paper and Cardboard:
- Newspaper
- Magazines
- Junk mail
- Office paper
- Tissue boxes and cereal boxes (clean paperboard)
- Corrugated cardboard (must be clean and dry)
Source: Meridian Waste — Jefferson County Collection Guidelines
Plastic Resin Code Guide for Jefferson County Recycling
Not sure which plastics are accepted? Check the number on the bottom of the container.
| Resin Code | Type | Common Examples | Accepted Curbside? |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 PET | Polyethylene terephthalate | Water/soda bottles | ✅ Yes |
| #2 HDPE | High-density polyethylene | Milk jugs, detergent bottles | ✅ Yes |
| #3 PVC | Polyvinyl chloride | Shampoo bottles | ✅ Yes |
| #4 LDPE | Low-density polyethylene | Plastic bags, shrink wrap | ❌ No |
| #5 PP | Polypropylene | Yogurt tubs, bottle caps | ✅ Yes |
| #6 PS | Polystyrene / Styrofoam | Foam cups, takeout containers | ❌ No |
| #7 Other | Mixed/other resins | Large water jugs | ✅ Yes |
⚠️ Important: Black plastics are rejected regardless of resin number. Even if a container is #1 or #2, if it’s black, it does not go in your cart.
Source: Meridian Waste Jefferson County Collection Guidelines
What Is NOT Accepted Curbside?
The following items will cause your load — or your entire cart — to be rejected. Keep these out of your recycling bin:
- Glass (any color — see the glass section below)
- Plastic #4 — bags, shrink wrap, film plastic
- Plastic #6 — styrofoam, polystyrene foam cups or takeout containers
- Black plastics (any resin code)
- Plastic bags and film plastic of any kind
- Tires
- Yard waste (it has its own separate collection)
- Hazardous materials — batteries, automotive fluids, paint, chemicals, pesticides
- Electronic waste — TVs, computers, phones, printers, microwaves
- Liquids or water-soluble solids
- Fluorescent light tubes and ballasts
- Greasy or food-soiled cardboard
- Radioactive, biological, or medical waste
- Automobile bodies
Source: Meridian Waste — Jefferson County Collection Guidelines
Does Jefferson County Recycle Glass?
No — glass is not accepted in Jefferson County’s curbside recycling program.
Meridian Waste’s official guidelines state that glass is excluded from curbside collection because it is a common contaminant in the recycling stream. Glass fragments mix with other materials and can contaminate entire loads.
However, you can drop off rinsed glass bottles and jars at the county’s Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Events, held twice a year. Glass of all colors is accepted at these events.
2026 HHW Event Dates:
| Date | Locations |
|---|---|
| April 25, 2026 | First Baptist Church Gardendale · Classic Car Motoring Irondale · City of Bessemer Public Works |
| October 17, 2026 | Camp Bessemer · Camp Ketona |
Source: Jefferson County Commission — Electronics & Hazardous Materials
Contamination Rules: What You Need to Know
Contamination is the biggest reason recyclables get rejected. Follow these rules every pickup day:
Rinse everything. All non-paper recyclables must be rinsed before going in the cart. Food residue is a primary cause of contamination.
Remove labels. Labels must be removed from non-paper containers like plastic bottles and metal cans.
Keep it inside the cart. Anything placed outside of your cart — even a perfectly clean recyclable — will not be collected. This rule is absolute.
Watch the weight. Carts cannot exceed 60 pounds. Heavy loads can cause pickup issues and damage equipment.
One prohibited item contaminates the load. Items like glass, black plastic, or styrofoam placed in the recycling cart can cause the entire load to be rejected at the processing facility.
Drop-Off Locations for Items Not Accepted Curbside
If you need to dispose of glass, electronics, or hazardous materials, Jefferson County and local organizations offer several options.
Electronics (E-Waste) Drop-Off
| Location | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Secure Shredding and Recycling | 135 Distribution Dr, Homewood, AL 35209 | 205-549-2120 |
| Gone For Good | 101 Oslo Circle, Birmingham, AL 35211 | 205-943-5266 |
| UAB Recycling Center | 620 11th Street S, Birmingham, AL 35233 | 205-996-9040 |
| Bessemer Recycling Center | 1601 1st Avenue North, Bessemer, AL 35020 | 205-425-0068 |
Jefferson County also hosts dedicated Electronic Drop-Off Events throughout 2026. Check the Jefferson County Commission website for current dates.
Glass Drop-Off
Rinsed glass bottles and jars of all colors are accepted at the April 25 and October 17, 2026 HHW Events listed above.
Source: Jefferson County Commission — Electronics & Hazardous Materials
Frequently Asked Questions: Jefferson County AL Recycling 2026
Q: Who handles recycling pickup in unincorporated Jefferson County, Alabama?
A: Meridian Waste is the contracted hauler for curbside recycling in unincorporated Jefferson County under agreement with the Jefferson County Commission.
Q: What plastics can I put in my recycling cart in Jefferson County?
A: Plastics labeled #1, #2, #3, #5, and #7 are accepted — bottles and containers only. Plastics #4 and #6 are not accepted. Black plastics are never accepted regardless of resin number.
Q: Can I recycle glass in my curbside bin in Jefferson County, AL?
A: No. Glass is not accepted in curbside recycling in Jefferson County. You can drop off rinsed glass at the county’s biannual Household Hazardous Waste events in April and October.
Q: What happens if I put the wrong items in my recycling cart?
A: Prohibited items — glass, styrofoam, plastic bags, black plastics — can contaminate your entire load and cause it to be rejected at the processing facility. Your cart may be left uncollected.
Q: Does Jefferson County recycle cardboard?
A: Yes. Clean, dry corrugated cardboard is accepted curbside. Greasy or food-soiled cardboard — like used pizza boxes — is not accepted and should go in the trash.
Q: Where can I drop off electronics in Jefferson County, Alabama?
A: Several locations accept e-waste in the area, including UAB Recycling Center in Birmingham, Gone For Good in Birmingham, Secure Shredding and Recycling in Homewood, and the Bessemer Recycling Center. Jefferson County also hosts electronic drop-off events throughout the year.
Q: Do I need to remove labels from bottles before recycling them?
A: Yes. Per Meridian Waste’s Jefferson County guidelines, labels must be removed from non-paper containers before placing them in your recycling cart.
Q: What cities in Jefferson County have their own separate recycling programs?
A: Incorporated cities including Birmingham, Hoover, Vestavia Hills, and Bessemer may operate their own recycling programs with different rules and accepted materials. This guide applies only to unincorporated Jefferson County.
Official Sources and Last Verified Date
| Source | Link |
|---|---|
| Meridian Waste — Jefferson County Collection Guidelines | View Guidelines |
| Jefferson County Commission — Electronics & Hazardous Materials | View Page |
| Jefferson County Commission — Household Recycling | View Page |
Last verified: May 2026. The Meridian Waste collection guidelines on record are dated 2020. While Meridian Waste remains the confirmed contracted hauler for unincorporated Jefferson County, always check the Jefferson County Commission’s official website or call Meridian Waste directly to confirm no updates have been issued.
Stay Up to Date on Your Jefferson County Recycling Schedule
Recycling rules and pickup schedules can change. The best way to stay current is to visit the Jefferson County Commission’s official recycling page or contact Meridian Waste directly. If you’re unsure whether a specific item is accepted, err on the side of caution and keep it out of your curbside cart to avoid contaminating your load.
Related: How to Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste in Jefferson County, Alabama (internal link suggestion)