Jefferson County, Alabama


    1.  My service changed from Advanced Disposal to Waste Management. Why is it changing again?
    2.  Waste Management/Advanced Disposal was great. Why did you switch?
    3.  Why is it more expensive?
    4.  Why are our new bins smaller?
    5.  Is it mandatory to sign up for waste collection? Why can’t we choose our own solid waste contractor?
    6.  I purchased a can from Advanced Disposal for $75 and they took it, what can I do about it?
    7.  Will I be refunded the money I already paid Advanced/Waste Management?
    8.  Will there be a lapse in service during the transition?
    9.  Do we have to initiate an account with Amwaste or will it just be transferred from Advanced Disposal?
    10.  Will personal carts/cans be collected by the new provider AmWaste?
    11.  Do we have to cancel our Advanced Disposal account?
    12.  Our garbage was picked up this past Thursday from Advanced. Do you know when we will receive our new can from Amwaste?
    13.  My question is not answered here who can I contact?
 
    Q.  My service changed from Advanced Disposal to Waste Management. Why is it changing again?
    A. 

Waste Management purchased Advanced Disposal in Fall of 2020 and transitioned customers to Waste Management as they were discontinuing use of the Advanced Disposal brand name.  That contract expired.



    Q.  Waste Management/Advanced Disposal was great. Why did you switch?
    A. 

We reached the end of our contract term and rebid before awarding a new contract.  It is important to note that there was an incredibly high volume of complaints received regarding missed pickups for Waste Management/Advanced disposal – especially over the course of the last 60days.



    Q.  Why is it more expensive?
    A. 

The contract was awarded to the lowest bidder. Residential rates will increase $2.07 per month for a single bin service. This is largely based on the consumer price index, taking into consideration future price increases due to potential increases in overhead such as fuel and labor. Amwaste can increase prices, if approved by the County, on an annual basis based on the CPI but it is subject to a 3% cap annually.  It’s worth noting that Advanced Disposal/Waste Management was also a bidder – a higher bidder – and if they had retained the contract at the lowest bid, rates would have increased even more. If you had 2 carts before, you may want to consider starting with one-cart, and a personal can (as long as it doesn't have more than 30lbs) to see if it works for you. Amwaste has several levels of service and they are outlined in question 9. 

Bids are below for reference:




    Q.  Why are our new bins smaller?
    A. 

They may appear different, but both the new AmWaste bins and the Waste Management/Advanced Disposal bins have the same volume – 95gallons.  The same amount of waste should fit in each.



    Q.  Is it mandatory to sign up for waste collection? Why can’t we choose our own solid waste contractor?
    A. 

Although mandatory residential waste collection is shown to reduce roadside litter and illegal dumping, it is not mandatory in Jefferson County.  However, beginning April 1st, Amwaste will take over from Advanced Disposal/Waste Management with having the exclusive right to provide curbside residential service in unincorporated Jefferson County.  Jefferson County is not required to provide a waste collection provider to residents, but does so to ensure everyone has access to curbside garbage pickup at the best rates possible.  Although not as effective as mandatory collection, having this service available still makes a substantial positive impact on roadside litter and illegal dumping.  When exploring this option, it became clear that multiple vendors were only willing to bid on an exclusive contract, which led to better cost control for our residents.

In theory, you could try to find your own service – especially if you are an entity such as an HOA - but it’s likely no vendor will agree to service you individually.  As a matter of practicality it comes down to agreements between the haulers.  The company owning the exclusive franchise may or may not allow someone else to service the HOA.  It could be considered tortious interference with a contract. In the event someone tries to do this, the County will not be involved and it will come down to agreements between the haulers.



    Q.  I purchased a can from Advanced Disposal for $75 and they took it, what can I do about it?
    A.  If you purchased a bin from Advanced Disposal as an additional bin, then Advanced Disposal/Waste Management says they consider that a rental since they did not charge monthly for additional pick up service. So they picked up the can. They should not have come on personal property and they are addressing that with those who are doing the can/bin pickup. 

    Q.  Will I be refunded the money I already paid Advanced/Waste Management?
    A.  You should not be billed for service after March 31st.  Any funds paid for services not rendered should be refunded.  Residents should check their statements to verify whether they were being billed in advance or for services already rendered. If you have questions about your Advanced/Waste Management bill call 205-640-7000.

    Q.  Will there be a lapse in service during the transition?
    A.  Possibly. Amwaste has already begun delivering bins and is working hard to make sure this does not happen.  However, there is the potential for some customers to experience irregularities due to the transition.  Depending on routing it could be up to 13 days between service. For example, if a Thursday route moves to Wednesday.  They would be picked up on 3/25 by Advanced Disposal, not be picked up the week of 3/29, and would finally have service on 4/7.  The opposite may happen also.  Some customers may get service twice the week of 3/29.  If you have questions on your new pickup date call:205-788-1400.   See this note regarding this from Amwaste.

    Q.  Do we have to initiate an account with Amwaste or will it just be transferred from Advanced Disposal?
    A. 

Your account will be set up to be consistent with your current service at the quarterly pricing listed below. When accounts transferred to Amwaste, contact information such as phone or email did not transfer. Please contact Amwaste, so they will have a way to notify you of any changes in service such as holidays, etc. For customers that currently have 2 cart service. If you would like to make a change in the service level provided or request a 2nd cart, please contact Amwaste via email at customercare@amwasteusa.comor call at (205) 788-1400. Amwaste will pick up a bin and personal can, if the personal can does not have more than 30pds of garbage. The rate schedule for services are as follows:

  • $43.62 per quarter - 1 cart; 1-time weekly garbage collection.
  • $56.70 per quarter – 1 cart; 1-time weekly garbage and garden rubbish/yard waste collection.
  • $88.62 per quarter – 2 carts; 1-time weekly garbage collection.
  • $101.70 per quarter – 2 carts; 1- time weekly garbage and garden rubbish/yard waste collection.
  • $30.00 per quarter - additional fee to the above listed rates for any non-disabled resident requesting backdoor collection for garbage collection only. Garden rubbish/yard waste will only be collected at the curb.

No additional fee from the above listed rates for qualified disabled residents requesting backdoor service.

    Q.  Will personal carts/cans be collected by the new provider AmWaste?
    A.  Personal carts were collected by Advanced and will continue to be collected by AmWaste at no additional charge with a 30lb/bag or personal cart limit.  The additional cost is for another 95 gallon AmWaste cart.

    Q.  Do we have to cancel our Advanced Disposal account?
    A.  No

    Q.  Our garbage was picked up this past Thursday from Advanced. Do you know when we will receive our new can from Amwaste?
    A.  With a few possible exceptions, Amwaste expects to complete all cart deliveries by Wednesday morning (March 31). As of April 1, they still had an estimated 1500 carts to deliver.

    Q.  My question is not answered here who can I contact?
    A.  If you have more questions please let us know. Amwaste can be contacted at 205-788-1400. They have added additional phone lines and representatives to answer your calls. You can also email them at customercare@amwasteusa.com. You can contact the Jefferson County Environmental Services division at 205-214-4026 ext. 7010 or email kelleyt@jccal.org