Southampton Neighborhood Association

Established March 22, 1903

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Alleys and Refuse

Responsibilities for Alleys and Refuse

(Dumpsters and Roll-Carts)

Alleys

Alleys are the practical side of our neighborhood. Alley dumpsters--Recycling (blue); Yard Waste (green) and Landfill (gray/brown) are located here as well as the side-loading refuse trucks that empty those dumpsters. Generally, the property owners on one side of the alley provide a portion of their property for the utility (electric, phone/internet, cable) easement. Garage parkers are frequent users of alleys. Electric, phone/internet, and cable trucks are common.

The City does not sweep or clean alleys and requires that property owners be responsible for keeping their half of their alleys free of litter, weeds, and overgrown trees as well as in safe and sanitary condition. Fortunately, "alley angels" are volunteer neighbors who have stepped up to meet the challenge of keeping their alley sections clean and well maintained--free of leaves, snow and ice, weeds, and overgrown trees.

Alley Dumpsters (Bins)

There are three types of alley dumpsters--Recycling (blue), Yard Waste (green), Household (gray/brown). The dumpsters are shared by several households, but if your particular dumpster is filled you may use another. Only the residents who live on the same block are permitted to use the dumpster in that alley. These dumpsters are not intended for use by commercial enterprises.

Household. No moving. Do not fill beyond capacity. Not built for bulk trash--stoves, furniture, appliances or any item over 3 feet long. Not for flammable liquids, hazardous materials or tires. Keep lids closed. Don't set anything against the dumpsters or within 3 feet. Any violations could result in the container not being emptied.

Yard Waste (Green Bin) Same as Household. Grass clippings, small limbs, and leaves. No plastic. No paper. No protruding tree or shrub limbs. (No feces.)

Recycling (Blue Bin) Same as Household. Always recycle common household items like paper, cardboard, and food or beverage bottles, cans and cartons in your Blue Bin. Never put plastic bags, Styrofoam, food waste or sharps in your Blue Bin. Keep recyclables loose, clean and dry. Always flatten cardboard. (No feces.) Visit Brightside St Louis for more details.

Roll Carts

Roll cart collection uses two 96 gallon roll carts--blue and green. Green is used for both household waste and yard waste, with contents based on the schedule for your address. Push your cart into the street and at least 3 feet away from parked cars. Carts should be out by 5am of your collection day. Carts must pulled back out of the street, into your yard, by 9pm of your collection day.

Household. Place all household trash that cannot be recycled in a trash bag. Place it inside your green roll cart. This is collected on the first collection day of the week--Monday in Southampton.

Yard Waste. Place inside your green roll cart (do not bag it). Yard waste is collected on Wednesday.

Recycling (Blue Roll Cart). Place all recyclables (do not bag them). This is collected on the second collection day of the week--Thursday in Southampton.

Monthly Bulk PickUp

The City picks up large/bulky items, batteries, appliances, and tires monthly. These items (not more than 3) must be put out by 6 AM on the Monday of collection week. Pickup will occur by Friday of that same week. Those with roll carts should place their bulk items by the curb. Those with alley collection should place their bulk items behind their own property and keep them 3 feet away from refuse containers. Do not lean on a neighbor's fence or property.

Place loose items in a container or tie in a bundle. If you have more than this, you can take to a residential dumping station or hold the excess on your property until the next bulk pickup. This is also the time to recycle your B.O.A.T.-E items--Batteries-Oil-Appliances-Tires-Electronics.

Additional information is found at the City of St Louis Refuse Page.

Don't Mix Yard Waste and Pet Waste

The City of St Louis does not allow feces to be placed in Yard Waste bins/roll carts. The Yard Waste bins are for typical yard waste--lawn clippings, leaves, branches--that is recycled (not composted) into mulch. Pet feces can wreak havoc on aquatic plants and the public's health. Don't allow your pet's waste to find its way into waterways, such as the rivers that surround us.

How to Dispose of Pet Waste. The City of St Louis allows feces disposal in the gray/brown trash bin. Place in a tightly tied plastic bag--or two--to keep the contents from leaching into the earth. Need an alternative? Try a pet waste compost bin using compost friendly waste bags. A mini septic system can help solve the pet waste issue. (A mid-sized dog will produce an estimated 500 pounds of feces every year.) Make sure to clean up dog waste in your yard frequently--especially in spring, summer and fall--since that smell travels well beyond your small urban yard.

Illegal Dumping

Following information is sourced from an announcement by Lewis Reed, President of the Board of Aldermen in the City of St Louis (MO) dated July 25, 2019.

Illegal Dumping Defined. Illegal dumping is dumping of any waste, whether it is oil, furniture, appliances, trash, litter, yard waste or others upon any public right-of-way, City property or private property, without consent of the owner.

St Louis Police Environmental Investigations Unit. In 2017, the SLMPD Trash Task Force was formed. Now called the Environmental Investigations Unit, the Unit investigates environmental dumping complaints from residents, businesses, the Neighborhood Improvement Specialists, Board of Aldermen members and complaints filed with CSB. The Environmental Investigations Unit then reviews and downloads alleyway camera footage for evidence to complete their investigations. There are 197 cameras throughout the City of St. Louis. In 2018, there were 204 citations given out to those who were caught illegally dumping in our City. In 2019, there have been 204 citations written. Those who are cited can be fined $500 and be required to fulfill community service hours.

How Do I Report Illegal Dumping? Anyone who encounters illegal dumping that has already taken place should report it to Citizens’ Service Bureau. If you observe someone illegally dumping, please take down the following information: • Date, time and location of incident • Description of vehicle and license plate number • Description of person(s) dumping • What items/materials were being dumped • Your name and phone number (optional) Contact CSB using any one of the following options: • Online: Use the Request a City Service web-based form.https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/neighborhood-stabilization-office/citizens-service-bureau/ • By Phone: Call 314-622-4800 Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm. • By Fax: 314-622-4310 • Using Twitter: @stlcsb • By email: csb@stlouis-mo.gov If the information submitted to the Environmental Investigations Unit leads to an arrest and conviction of persons who engage in illegal dumping, you will receive a $100 reward.

Southampton Neighborhood Association is a 501(c)4 non-profit organization.

5605 Delor Street
Saint Louis, MO 63109

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