If you just moved to Jefferson County, Alabama, recycling here works a little differently than what you might be used to.
The Jefferson County Solid Waste Authority (JCSWA) manages curbside recycling for most of the county — but as of April 1, 2026, residents now pay for that service directly.
That’s a big change, and if you haven’t enrolled yet, your bin may not be picked up.
This guide covers everything new residents need to know: what goes in the bin, what doesn’t, where to drop off items the county won’t take curbside, and how to make sure you’re actually signed up for service.
Last Verified: May 2026 | Sources: Jefferson County Solid Waste Authority and Jefferson County Commission
Quick Summary
- Curbside recycling in Jefferson County is managed by the Jefferson County Solid Waste Authority (JCSWA)
- As of April 1, 2026, residents pay for recycling service directly — confirm your enrollment at jeffersoncountysolidwaste.com
- The county accepts #1 and #2 plastics, aluminum cans, steel/tin cans, cardboard, and paper curbside
- #5 plastic tubs were added as accepted curbside in January 2026
- Glass is NOT accepted curbside — drop it off at the April or October HHW events instead
- Electronics, paint, batteries, and hazardous waste go to county HHW drop-off events, not the bin
Step 1: Confirm Your Recycling Service Enrollment
This is the most important thing to do first.
Starting April 1, 2026, Jefferson County changed how residents pay for recycling. Instead of the cost being bundled elsewhere, you now pay JCSWA directly.
If you moved in recently and haven’t set up an account, your recycling bin may not be collected even if you put it out.
Action: Visit jeffersoncountysolidwaste.com or contact JCSWA to confirm your address is enrolled and your service is active.
What Jefferson County Accepts for Curbside Recycling
Jefferson County uses a single-stream recycling program for most curbside pickups. That means everything accepted goes into one bin — no sorting required. But you still need to prepare items correctly.
Accepted Materials
| Category | What’s Accepted | Preparation Required |
|---|---|---|
| Plastics | #1 PET/PETE bottles & jugs (soda, water, juice) | Rinse, remove and discard lid |
| Plastics | #2 HDPE bottles & jugs (milk, detergent) | Rinse, remove lid, flatten |
| Plastics | #5 PP tubs (confirmed Jan 2026) | Rinse, remove lid |
| Metals | Aluminum cans | Empty and clean |
| Metals | Steel and tin cans | Empty and clean |
| Paper | Newspapers and phone books | Bundle or bag at paper sheds |
| Paper | Magazines and catalogs | No prep needed |
| Paper | Office paper, junk mail, envelopes | No prep needed |
| Cardboard | Corrugated cardboard boxes | Must be flattened |
Three rules to remember every time:
- Rinse all containers
- Remove and throw away all lids
- Flatten cardboard before putting it in the bin
Plastic Numbers: What’s In and What’s Out
Not all plastics are the same. Jefferson County only accepts certain resin codes. Here’s exactly where each number stands:
| Resin Code | Common Items | Jefferson County Status |
|---|---|---|
| #1 PET/PETE | Soda bottles, water bottles, juice bottles | ✅ Accepted curbside |
| #2 HDPE | Milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent | ✅ Accepted curbside (flatten) |
| #3 PVC | Pipes, some packaging | ❌ Not accepted |
| #4 LDPE | Squeezable bottles, plastic film, bags | ❌ Not accepted |
| #5 PP | Yogurt-style tubs, deli containers | ✅ Accepted curbside (as of Jan 2026) |
| #6 PS | Styrofoam, disposable cups and plates | ❌ Not accepted |
| #7 Other | Mixed/polycarbonate plastics | ❌ Not accepted |
Note on #5 plastics: The JCSWA general recycling guide originally listed #3–#7 as not accepted. In January 2026, Jefferson County confirmed that #5 plastic tubs are now accepted curbside. If you’re unsure whether your specific container qualifies, contact JCSWA directly to confirm.
What NOT to Put in Your Recycling Bin
Putting the wrong items in your bin — called contamination — can cause entire loads to be rejected. When in doubt, leave it out.
Never put these in the curbside recycling bin:
- Plastic bags or plastic film of any kind (take to a grocery store drop-off instead)
- Motor oil containers
- Snack food packaging or deli trays
- Butter, yogurt, and similar dairy containers
- Plastic toys, flower pots, laundry baskets, or buckets (including cat litter buckets)
- Ceramic cups or plates
- Light bulbs (any type)
- Window glass or mirror glass
- Aerosol cans
- Paint cans
- Scrap metal, pots, pans, bakeware
- Aluminum foil or disposable foil pans
- Dry food boxes (cereal, tissue boxes)
- Books
- Pizza boxes or any greasy cardboard
- Styrofoam (#6 plastic)
- Trash of any kind
Glass Recycling in Jefferson County, AL
Glass bottles and jars are not accepted in your curbside recycling bin in Jefferson County.
However, you can recycle glass at the following locations:
Drop-Off Options for Glass:
- April HHW Event — Jefferson County Household Hazardous Waste event (all glass bottle/jar colors accepted)
- October HHW Event — Same annual event, glass accepted again
- Jefferson County Village Reclamation Facility — 1440 Pleasant Hill Rd, Birmingham, AL 35224
- Jefferson County Valley Reclamation Facility — 3923 Clear Water Dr, Bessemer, AL 35023
The Jefferson County Commission expanded glass drop-off acceptance in 2026 to include all colors of glass bottles and jars at HHW events. This is a significant improvement over prior years.
Drop-Off Locations for Non-Curbside Items
Many items you can’t put in your bin have a proper place to go. Here’s where to take them:
| Item | Drop-Off Location |
|---|---|
| Glass bottles & jars | April & October HHW Events; Village Reclamation Facility (Birmingham); Valley Reclamation Facility (Bessemer) |
| Electronics (TVs, phones, computers) | HHW Electronics Events (Jan, Mar, May, Jun, Sep 2026); Gone For Good, 101 Oslo Circle, Birmingham; UAB Recycling Center, 620 11th St S; Bessemer Recycling Center, 1601 1st Ave N |
| Hazardous waste (paint, chemicals, batteries) | Jefferson County HHW Events at Birmingham Zoo, Village Reclamation Facility, Center Point Satellite Courthouse |
| Plastic bags | Your local grocery or retail store (Walmart, Kroger, Target — most have front-door drop-off bins) |
| Cooking oil & grease | Jefferson County Grease Recycle Centers (mapped at jccal.org) |
| Rinsed #1 & #2 plastics, aluminum cans | Available for drop-off at HHW events as well |
2026 HHW Event Schedule
Jefferson County holds Household Hazardous Waste drop-off events throughout the year. These events accept electronics, glass, paint, batteries, chemicals, and more.
2026 Confirmed HHW/Electronics Events:
- January 2026 — Electronics drop-off event
- March 2026 — Electronics drop-off event
- April 2026 — Full HHW event (includes glass, electronics, chemicals)
- May 2026 — Electronics drop-off event
- June 2026 — Electronics drop-off event
- September 2026 — Electronics drop-off event
- October 2026 — Full HHW event (includes glass, electronics, chemicals)
Event Locations Include:
- Birmingham Zoo
- Jefferson County Village Reclamation Facility, 1440 Pleasant Hill Rd, Birmingham, AL 35224
- Center Point Satellite Courthouse
For exact dates, times, and addresses, check the official schedule at: jccal.org Electronics & Hazardous Materials
Key 2026 Recycling Changes for Jefferson County
If you’re moving from another county or coming back after time away, here’s what changed in 2026:
1. Direct Billing Begins April 1, 2026 Recycling service is no longer bundled. Residents pay JCSWA directly. If you haven’t enrolled, your bin won’t be collected. Visit jeffersoncountysolidwaste.com to sign up.
2. #5 Plastic Tubs Now Accepted Curbside As of January 2026, the county confirmed that #5 PP plastic tubs (like yogurt and deli containers) are now accepted in your curbside bin. Rinse them out and remove the lid.
3. Expanded Glass Drop-Off The county expanded HHW events in 2026 to accept glass bottles and jars of all colors, not just clear glass.
Frequently Asked Questions
What day is recycling pickup in Jefferson County, AL?
Pickup day depends on your specific address and zone. Contact JCSWA at jeffersoncountysolidwaste.com or call their office to find your scheduled pickup day based on your address.
Does Jefferson County, Alabama recycle glass?
Not curbside. Glass bottles and jars go to Jefferson County’s Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) events held in April and October, or to the Village or Valley Reclamation Facilities in Birmingham and Bessemer.
What plastics does Jefferson County accept for recycling?
Jefferson County accepts #1 (PET/PETE) and #2 (HDPE) plastic bottles and jugs curbside, plus #5 (PP) plastic tubs as of January 2026. Plastics #3, #4, #6, and #7 are not accepted.
Can I recycle pizza boxes in Jefferson County?
No. Greasy cardboard — including pizza boxes — is not accepted in Jefferson County’s curbside recycling. Only clean, flattened corrugated cardboard goes in the bin.
Where do I recycle electronics in Jefferson County, AL?
Jefferson County holds electronics drop-off events in January, March, May, June, and September 2026. You can also drop off electronics at Gone For Good (101 Oslo Circle, Birmingham), the UAB Recycling Center (620 11th St S), or the Bessemer Recycling Center (1601 1st Ave N).
What happens if I put the wrong items in my recycling bin?
Contaminated loads can be rejected entirely. Jefferson County’s recycling guide strongly emphasizes proper preparation — rinse containers, remove lids, and flatten cardboard. When in doubt, leave it out. For specific contamination enforcement policies, contact JCSWA directly.
I just moved to Jefferson County. How do I start recycling service?
Go to jeffersoncountysolidwaste.com and enroll as a new resident. As of April 1, 2026, recycling service requires direct payment to JCSWA. Don’t assume it’s automatic.
Are plastic bags accepted in Jefferson County curbside recycling?
No. Plastic bags must never go in your curbside bin — they jam sorting equipment. Take them to a local grocery or retail store. Most major stores like Walmart, Target, and Kroger have plastic bag drop-off bins near the entrance.
Official Sources
All information in this guide is drawn from official Jefferson County sources:
- Jefferson County Solid Waste Authority Recycling Guide https://jcswa.org/recycling-guide
- Jefferson County, AL — Electronics & Hazardous Materials (2026 HHW Schedule) https://www.jccal.org/Default.asp?ID=2294&pg=Electronics+Hazardous+Materials
- Jefferson County Household Recycling Page https://www.jccal.org/Default.asp?ID=2272&pg=Household+Recycling
- 2026 Recycling Changes Flyer (PDF — verify directly) https://jeffersoncountysolidwaste.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-Recycling-Changes-Flyer.pdf
Note: Always verify current schedules and accepted materials directly with JCSWA. Program details — especially billing and accepted materials — changed in early 2026 and may continue to be updated.
Related Reading
- How to Recycle Electronics in Alabama: HHW Events, Drop-Off Locations & What’s Accepted
Ready to Get Started?
The best thing you can do right now is confirm your service is active. Visit jeffersoncountysolidwaste.com or contact the Jefferson County Solid Waste Authority to verify your address is enrolled, find your pickup day, and make sure you’re set up under the new 2026 billing system.
For HHW event dates, electronics drop-off locations, and the county’s accepted materials list, bookmark the official Jefferson County Commission page at jccal.org. Schedules and policies do change — checking directly is always the safest move.