Solid Waste

Autauga County’s solid waste system is built to keep neighborhoods clean, protect public health, and provide dependable, affordable service across both incorporated and rural areas. This article explains how the county’s mandatory household trash collection works, how to set up and manage curbside service, where and when to use county-provided rural dumpsters for bulky items, who qualifies for annual fee exemptions, and where to find official documents and contacts. It also highlights the 2024–2034 Solid Waste Management Plan so you know what to expect over the next decade.

Understand the Autauga County AL Solid Waste framework

Autauga County maintains a mandatory solid waste collection program designed to reach every household. The County contracts curbside service to a single provider for efficiency, but the County sets the ground rules through policy and plan documents. Those include a long-range management plan and an official resolution that makes regular collection compulsory countywide. This structure ensures consistent service standards, makes it easier to control litter and illegal dumping, and gives residents dependable options for both weekly household trash and occasional bulky items.

To familiarize yourself with the County’s official program pages, forms, and service updates, start with the Autauga County Solid Waste page. It centralizes service details, documents, and links referenced throughout this article.

Start or manage weekly household trash collection the right way

Initiate service and resolve billing with the County’s contracted provider

Autauga County requires household trash pickup. To start curbside collection or ask about billing, contact the County’s vendor by phone during normal business hours. The County directs residents to the vendor’s toll-free line for new service, questions, and account changes (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.). Because service terms and routes are standardized by the County, that call is the fastest way to get on the pickup schedule, manage your cart, and handle payment matters.

For step-by-step set-out rules and customer guidance published by the County, rely on the official Autauga County Garbage Preparation for Meridian Waste Customers page. It summarizes what goes in the cart, where to place it, and other requirements that keep collection safe and efficient.

Place carts correctly and avoid service interruptions

Proper cart placement keeps routes on time and streets clean. The County’s preparation guidance emphasizes the following fundamentals:

Bag and tie all household trash before placing it in your assigned cart to reduce windblown litter and protect collection crews.

Contain everything inside the cart. Do not leave loose bags or overflow on the curb; if it doesn’t fit with the lid closed, plan ahead for a future pickup or use the County’s rural dumpster service for bulky items.

Mind the 5×5 rule. Place your cart within five feet of the road and at least five feet from obstacles such as mailboxes, vehicles, fences, and utility poles so the truck can safely grab and return the cart.

Face the lid opening toward the road (handles toward the house) to align with the truck’s automated arm.

Affix the County’s quarterly-colored sticker to the front of the can (facing the road) to designate an active account.

Set out by 5:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day to avoid a missed pickup when routes start early.

Keep carts onsite when moving. Carts are vendor property and remain with the address for the next occupant.

Exclude hazardous materials. Household hazardous waste and other dangerous items are never allowed in your curbside cart. Keep these out of household trash and follow state and county instructions for special handling when applicable.

These placement and preparation practices come directly from the County’s official materials and reflect safety, environmental, and operational priorities. When residents follow them consistently, neighborhoods stay tidier and service runs more smoothly.

Know what belongs in the cart—and what does not

Autauga County’s curbside service is for bagged and tied household trash placed inside your assigned cart. The County’s guidance specifically prohibits hazardous materials. If you have bulky items or amounts that exceed your cart’s capacity, plan to use the monthly County-provided rural dumpsters described below or separate disposal options as directed by County staff.

Use County-provided rural dumpsters for bulky items and rural trash

Autauga County supplements weekly curbside collection with free, scheduled dumpsters for rural trash and bulky items. This program is designed for items that do not fit household carts and for residents who need occasional extra capacity. Key operating principles:

First come, first served: When the dumpster is full, the truck leaves and does not return that day.

One dumpster per day: The County limits capacity to control traffic and ensure safe operations at each site.

Operating window: 8:00 a.m. until full or 12:00 noon at the latest, whichever comes first.

Monthly rotation: Each site opens on a specific Saturday each month.

Pine Level — 2nd Saturday of the month (8:00 a.m.–Noon or until full)

Location: County Road 59 and Highway 31 North (intersection).

Best practices: Arrive early with items pre-sorted to speed unloading. If your load is unusually large, consider bringing multiple trips over consecutive months to leave enough space for neighbors.

Joffre — 3rd Saturday of the month (8:00 a.m.–Noon or until full)

Location: County Road 40 West and County Road 69 (intersection).

Best practices: Secure loose items during transport to prevent litter along approach roads, and keep all materials behind the tailgate until you are inside the drop-off area.

Milton — 4th Saturday of the month (8:00 a.m.–Noon or until full)

Location: County Road 40 West and County Road 1 North (intersection).

Best practices: Plan to unload efficiently and follow on-site instructions to keep traffic moving and maintain safety.

Before you load up, consult the County’s official Dumpster Information Flyer for program reminders and bring a copy or screenshot for quick reference. If you want to verify exact drop points or plan your route in advance, open the County’s Map of Dumpster Locations. Both documents are published by Autauga County and updated as needed to reflect current operations.

Follow local rules: Mandatory service and compliance expectations

Autauga County enforces mandatory household trash collection under an official resolution. In practice, “mandatory” means every occupied residence must maintain active collection service with the County’s contracted provider. This ensures all households contribute to keeping roadsides clean, reduces vermin and odors, and keeps illegal dumping in check. While the County coordinates service through a single vendor for efficiency, compliance with County rules is the resident’s responsibility—set out properly, keep carts in good repair, and maintain your account in good standing.

When questions come up about rules or documentation—such as where to find policy PDFs—use the County’s Solid Waste page as your authoritative reference point. It funnels you to official guidance that the County publishes for residents and haulers.

Apply for the annual Social Security solid waste fee exemption (if eligible)

Autauga County offers an annual exemption process for residents whose entire household income comes from Social Security payments or disability—no other income of any kind may be present to qualify. This program helps qualifying households cover the cost of required solid waste collection for the next calendar year. Keep these points in mind:

Confirm eligibility and gather required documents

Eligibility depends on your entire household income. If any member has income other than Social Security or disability, the household is not eligible for the exemption.

The County provides an Exemption Instructions document, a Questionnaire, and an Application. Review these carefully to understand what proof is required.

Apply during the fixed annual window (no automatic renewals)

Apply each year—there is no automatic renewal for exemptions.

The County’s acceptance window runs September 1 through November 30. All materials (application, questionnaire, and supporting documentation) must be received by the deadline.

If you miss the deadline, you will need to wait until the next year to apply.

Submit through the Autauga County Health Department

Exemption applications are accepted by the Autauga County Health Department (Environmental). For office contact details and current instructions, refer to the official Autauga County Health Department – ADPH contact page.

If you have questions about what to submit, verify requirements directly with County and ADPH staff before the window closes.

Because this exemption determines billing for the following year, start early in the fall to allow time for questions and paperwork. When in doubt, confirm on the County’s Solid Waste page and with the Health Department to avoid delays.

Use official County documents to plan ahead: 2024–2034 Solid Waste Management Plan

Autauga County’s solid waste system is guided by a 10-year planning document that outlines how services will keep pace with growth, protect the environment, and maintain regulatory compliance. The plan covers the County’s approach to collection, recycling opportunities that may appear in the future, facility needs, rural access strategies such as monthly dumpster events, and long-term budgeting to maintain stable service.

Residents, neighborhood associations, and businesses benefit from understanding the County’s trajectory—especially if you are building, moving into new subdivisions, or coordinating multi-family collections. To see the County’s current blueprint, review the 2024–2034 Solid Waste Management Plan. This official PDF is the best window into how collection and disposal services will operate and evolve through 2034.

When reading, watch for sections that discuss:

Service coverage and mandatory collection—how the County ensures universal access.

Public health safeguards—controls that keep waste contained and prevent nuisance impacts.

Operational efficiency—how routing, contracting, and equipment choices maintain dependable curbside pickup.

Rural service access—the role of periodic dumpster events in meeting needs outside denser neighborhoods.

Contingency planning—how storms, growth, or market shifts may affect service and how the County prepares.

Understanding these elements helps households plan for consistent set-outs, builders plan for waste staging during construction, and neighborhood groups organize residents around best practices.

Coordinate city and county services inside Prattville city limits

If you live within the City of Prattville, know that the City operates its own sanitation department. Service areas inside incorporated boundaries may follow municipal schedules and procedures rather than County-contracted ones. The City’s sanitation team can verify whether your address is on a municipal route, provide cart rules specific to the City, and help with city-managed disposal questions.

To confirm details for addresses inside Prattville city limits and to reach municipal sanitation staff directly, consult the Sanitation Department – City of Prattville page. If you are uncertain whether your property is in the City or the County, you can contact City staff or the County for boundary guidance before setting up service.

Optimize weekly service with simple, high-impact habits

Small, consistent habits make a big difference for Autauga County AL solid waste collection. Build these into your weekly routine:

Prep the night before: Put bagged trash in the cart and roll it to the curb the evening prior so it’s ready by 5:00 a.m..

Keep lids closed: This minimizes windblown litter and deters animals.

Leave clearance: Maintain the 5×5 spacing around your cart so the truck can securely lift and replace it without scraping cars or mailboxes.

Watch weather: On windy mornings, tuck carts where they are still accessible but shielded from gusts (without blocking the truck).

Plan for overflow: If a large clean-out is coming, schedule your load for the appropriate Saturday dumpster site rather than overfilling your cart.

Move-out checklist: If you change addresses, do not take the cart. It remains property of the vendor and stays with the residence.

These straightforward practices support a cleaner curb line, a faster route for crews, and fewer missed pickups.

Get help fast and keep your information current

When you need a phone number, a department email, or directions to the courthouse campus, go to the County’s directory first. The County publishes a consolidated page to help you reach the right office, including the Solid Waste Officer’s line and general administration contacts. Bookmark the Autauga County Contact Information page to find current numbers, office names, and related departmental resources without relying on third-party directories.

If you need to report a missed pickup, flag debris at a dumpster site, or ask a question that isn’t answered on the website, you can also use the County’s customer intake portal. Submissions go straight to County staff for routing to the appropriate office. To make a request online, use the Autauga County Action Center and include enough detail (location, day of week, and a short description) so staff can investigate efficiently.

Leverage County-published flyers and maps to streamline bulky drop-offs

Planning a bulky item drop-off is easier when you review County materials before you go. Two official documents help you avoid guesswork:

The Dumpster Information Flyer explains first-come, first-served operations and the monthly schedule at a glance.

The Map of Dumpster Locations shows intersections for Pine Level, Joffre, and Milton. Use it to plan your route and arrival time, especially if you are hauling a trailer or making multiple trips.

Keeping these on hand (printed or saved on your phone) shortens time on site and reduces traffic backups on Saturday mornings.

Keep your records aligned with County policy documents

If you manage a homeowners’ association, run a small business, or administer multi-unit housing, align your service handouts with County policy so residents receive consistent instructions. The County’s central reference pages and long-range plan keep everyone on the same page:

Use Autauga County Solid Waste for general program rules and links to documents.

Reference Autauga County Garbage Preparation for Meridian Waste Customers for cart placement and set-out rules that apply across the County’s contracted service area.

Attach the 2024–2034 Solid Waste Management Plan to internal files for planning conversations and compliance checks.

When in doubt about contact details or where to submit a request, rely on the Autauga County Contact Information directory and the Autauga County Action Center for official communications.

By standardizing your neighborhood or business handouts on these County sources, you minimize confusion and avoid unofficial instructions that can lead to missed pickups or improper set-outs.

Solid Waste–Relevant Departments, Addresses, and Phone Numbers

Autauga County Solid Waste Officer — 135 North Court Street, Suite B, Prattville, AL 36067 — (334) 358-6749

Autauga County Administrator Office — 135 North Court Street, Suite B, Prattville, AL 36067 — (334) 358-6700

Autauga County Solid Waste FAQs

Is household trash service required countywide, and where are the official rules posted?

Yes. Autauga County operates a mandatory household collection program established by county resolution; every occupied residence must maintain active service with the county’s contracted hauler. The county publishes the governing details, forms, and program updates on its official Solid Waste page, including links to preparation guidance, exemption materials, rural dumpster notices, and planning documents that define how service is administered.

How should I place my cart so collection isn’t missed?

Set carts at the curb by 5:00 a.m. on your service day, with all garbage bagged and contained inside the issued cart and the lid closed. Position the cart within five feet of the roadway and at least five feet from mailboxes, vehicles, fences, and similar obstacles; orient the lid opening toward the street. Follow county instructions on account stickers and never place hazardous materials in the cart. If you relocate, the cart stays with the service address. Full, step-by-step directions are provided in Autauga County Garbage Preparation for Meridian Waste Customers.

How do the county’s rural dumpsters for bulky items work?

Autauga County stages free rural dumpsters on a rotating monthly schedule to handle bulky loads that don’t fit in household carts. Sites operate first-come, first-served with a single container per site, from 8:00 a.m. until full or noon, whichever comes first. Locations rotate to Pine Level (2nd Saturday), Joffre (3rd Saturday), and Milton (4th Saturday) at designated county-road intersections. Review operating rules before loading and verify sites using the county’s Dumpster Information Flyer and the Map of Dumpster Locations.

Who can request the annual Social Security exemption for next year’s collection fees?

Households whose entire income is from Social Security payments or disability only may apply; any other income makes the household ineligible. Applications are required each year—there is no automatic renewal—and must be submitted during the county’s annual window of September 1 through November 30 with all required documentation as directed by the Autauga County Health Department. The application, questionnaire, and instructions are linked from the county’s Solid Waste page.