By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

PELHAM—It’s time again for Pelham’s bi-annual heavy trash pickup day. On Oct. 4, Trash Taxi will collect items of heavy trash left curbside throughout incorporated Pelham, free of charge.

Items for pick up must be left curbside by 6 a.m. and must fall under the category of acceptable items. A full list of acceptable and excluded items can be found at Pelhamonline.com/departments/streets-and-sanitation/garbage-recycling.

“It is imperative they have (items) out by 6 a.m.” Trash Taxi of Alabama President Roberto Rodriguez said, noting trash taxi will drive down and collect trash from each road only once.

Additionally, excluded items will not be picked up. Some common excluded items are appliances such as refrigerators and dishwashers, tires, engine blocks, pesticides, cans containing liquid paint and hazardous materials, Rodriguez noted.

“If there are items that are not accepted materials, Trash Taxi will not pick them up,” Rodriguez said. “If we don’t pick up a pile, we will tag that pile and say ‘we came by and we’re not picking this up and here’s why.’”

Rodriguez encouraged residents to consider the items they are throwing out, as many could be suitable for donation.

Many charitable organizations will “gladly come” collect items fit for donation, Rodriguez said, including Salvation Army, United Veterans and King’s and Hanna Home.

“We strongly encourage them to (donate) first,” Rodriguez said. “So much was thrown away and wasted (last heavy trash day), it was pretty sad.”

If you miss this fall’s heavy trash day, “that’s ok,” Rodriguez said. Trash Taxi is working with the city to set up a permanent, year-round drop off spot for items such as appliances, electronics and cardboard, Rodriguez explained.

“We’re looking at developing (a) drop off point… behind the Summer Classics building on Lee Street,” Rodriguez said. “We’re in the process of getting that all together.”

For more information about heavy trash day, accepted items and excluded items, visit Pelhamonline.com/departments/streets-and-sanitation/garbage-recycling.