FREE CART PROGRAM

The Environmental Services Department repairs city regulated carts at no charge.  To schedule a repair have the property owner call Tuscaloosa 311 and a work order will be sent to the Environmental Services Department.  The cart repair crew will normally be out within two weeks to make the repairs, but at times service may take longer due to demand.  Please be certain the cart is empty and remains at the curb.  You may use bags for your garbage pickup while waiting for your repair. 

PROGRAM OUTLINE

On October 1, 2007 the City implemented the “free cart program”. Under this program the City increased the garbage collection fee by $0.35 per month but will no longer require the citizens to purchase new and replacement garbage carts. Under this program if a cart is no longer usable it will be replaced by the city at no charge, with the replacement being issued to the address it is delivered under the control of the property owner. The replacement cart is the property of the City of Tuscaloosa, not the property owner or resident.

All cart services including request for repairs, new carts or additional carts must be placed through Tuscaloosa 311.

Environmental Services requires that cart requests are originated by the PROPERTY OWNER, not the tenant or business owner. This is because the ordinance pertaining to the free cart program specifies that the city-issued carts are loaned to the PROPERTY OWNER and are thereby responsible for the whereabouts of the cart. The requirement to only take requests from property owners is a service to the property owners so that they are fully aware of the carts being delivered to their properties.

KEY FEATURES

·         New residents requiring a cart (s) or current residents needing to replace or add cart (s) prior to October 1, 2007 will be required to purchase them at the Revenue Department for $55.00.

·         This program DOES NOT MEAN that all citizens will be receiving new carts in October 2007 (be it by request or by putting their name on a list)

·         The Environmental Services Department will continue to REPAIR all carts until they are not repairable any longer. This determination WILL NOT BE made by the citizen, but by the ESD cart repairmen, foremen and, if necessary Environmental Services Department management staff. Carts will be repaired when requested by the property owner (by calling 311) ESD crews may leave blue hang tags on carts that cannot be service due to damage. In this instance the property owner must call 311 to request a cart repair.

·         Residents having access to multiple carts (whether city owned or citizen owned) will be required to pay the extra cart charge per cart along with the extra garbage fee (Ex: The rate effective October 1, 2010 will be $12.35 per cart emptied two times per week, if a resident chooses to utilize two carts they will pay a monthly rate of $24.70).

·         Customers that purchased their carts in the past would retain ownership of their carts, but all carts put out under this program would be the property of the City and would be expected to remain with the property when a tenant vacated (essentially the carts are being loaned to the resident by the City). Keep in mind that if your cart is damaged beyond repair that it will be REPLACED with a City-Owned cart under this program. If you chose to keep your cart you will have an additional cart on your property and will be subject to an additional monthly garbage fee.

·         The Environmental Services Department will retain the right to charge a citizen for a cart if the cart was lost, stolen, or damaged by means other than normal wear and tear such as but not limited to damage by collision with motor vehicles; fire; negligent or intentional acts, abuse or violations of municipal ordinances.

·         Cost of the additional cart fee would be subject to change due to change in cart costs in the future

City Ordinance regarding the program 

 (b) In the event the garbage cart is purchased by the property owner, the cart shall in all cases remain the property of the owner/purchaser.

 (c) The City will loan carts at no cost to the property owner who establishes a new garbage account for property he/she owns.  Loaned carts will remain the property of the City.

 (d) Carts owned by the city and loaned to a garbage customer, shall not be relocated to a different address by the property owner or tenant.

 (e) Assuming sufficient manpower and adequate supply, the environmental services department is authorized to repair or replace any garbage cart, which is damaged from wear and tear through the normal course of use at no cost to the property owner.  The city will not repair or replace damaged carts which are not the result of normal wear and tear including but not limited to:  damage by collision with motor vehicles; fire; negligent or intentional acts, abuse or violations of municipal ordinances; or otherwise lost or stolen.”