Old Northwood is one of the only areas in the city that retains its alley trash pickup as originally planned when the area was developed in the 1920s. Alley trash pickup keeps trash cans and other garbage off the streets and out of sight, helping to maintain the appearance of the neighborhood.

Alley trash pickup poses some unique challenges and safety concerns for the Sanitation Department. Working with West Palm Beach Commissioners, the Mayor, the Sanitation Department, and residents, a neighborhood task force was created so that the City and the neighborhood could work together to insure alley trash pickup continues.

The task force has agreed to regularly evaluate every alley in Old Northwood between 25th St. and 36th St. (including the north/south alleys along Broadway and Poinsettia) using the criteria established by the City (see below and next column). Any home with noted issues will be given a friendly reminder, noting the issue and giving the owner the opportunity to take corrective action. These reminders are coming from your neighbors, NOT the City. The idea is to give neighbors the opportunity to to comply with code before code enforcement comes to issue violation citations.

It is each resident's responsibility to insure the alley behind their home is maintained to allow free, safe passage for the trash collection vehicles and the people who work on them. This means the alleys must be clear of vegetation, cars, trash, and low hanging wires. Just as we are responsible for maintaining the swales in front of our homes, so we are for maintaining our alleys in the back of our homes.

Each alley is platted to be 14 feet wide, with the pavement usually around 10 feet wide. The garbage trucks require 14 feet vertical clearance from the ground for wires and vegetation to get through safely. Picture a 14' x 14' tunnel running down each alley - this is the clearance the trucks must have - each and every day. Alley criteria are as follows:

Vegetation: Impedes free flow of traffic and poses a significant safety issue - imagine being slapped in the face by Bougainvillea! All vegetation must be trimmed a minimum of two feet from the pavement edge and be trimmed a minimum of 14 feet above the pavement.

Trash & Debris: The trash pickup rules are listed in the next column. ONLY trash and bulk pickup takes place in the alley. NEVER PLACE YARD WASTE OR CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS IN THE ALLEY! When placing items out for pickup in the alley, they must be placed on your property OUTSIDE the 14 foot clearance area, otherwise the trucks cannot get through.

Fences: Over the years, some fences have been built over property lines and into the 14 foot clearance area. Fences must be a minimum of two feet from the pavement edge. If fences run the length of the property and are built on the property line, there must be a set back area for placement of garbage cans and bulk items so the trucks can get through.

Wires: The trucks that service Old Northwood require a 14 feet clearance to pass through safely. Utility wires must be a minimum of 14 feet above the pavement. Contact your local utility (BellSouth, Adelphia or FPL) to arrange to have them raised. The City has offered to help coordinate this effort if needed.

Parked Cars: The alleys are, of course, thoroughfares and as such all rules of the road apply! Cars must be parked on private property OUTSIDE the 14 foot clearance area at all times. Illegally parked cars are subject to ticketing by the West Palm Beach Police Department.

Old Northwood's trash pickup days are Monday and Thursday. Monday is also the day for recycling, bulk and yard waste pickup. Items should be placed out for pickup after 6 PM the day before scheduled pickup and the empty cans retrieved before the end of the day of collection.

What goes where?

Alley: Trash and Bulk Items

Street: Recycling and Yard Waste

Trash should be placed in sealed plastic bags before placing in standard 35 gallon cans with tight fitting lids. Do not fill garbage cans with more than 50 pounds of material.

Bulk Items are defined as furniture, including sofas, chairs, mattresses and box springs, and all appliances except refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners. Carpet should be rolled into sections not longer than 4 feet and less than 50 pounds.

Yard Waste should be placed at the street, clearly separated from recycle bins. Grass cuttings, small trimmings and leaves should be placed in plastic bags weighing no more than 50 pounds. Limit pile size to 4 feet high by 4 feet wide by 17 feet long. Cut tree limbs and branches into pieces no longer than 6 feet and cut trunk and stumps into pieces no larger than 4 feet long and 12 inches wide.

Do not place yard waste left from Landscape service companies out for the City to pickup. The company is responsible to haul all debris.

For questions, please call the City's Customer Service Department at 659-8080.

The City does not collect refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, hazardous waste (including but not limited to: used motor oil, non-latex based paints and solvents, and batteries), car or boat parts, engines, tires, sod or construction and remodeling materials (including but not limited to: lumber, fencing, drywall, glass, concrete, roofing materials, tile, plumbing fixtures, pipe and cabinetry). These items should be disposed of by a private contractor or taken to the Solid Waste Authority by each resident. Call the Solid Waste Authority at 640-4000 for information.

From time to time the Old Northwood Neighborhood Association will arrange for dumpsters to aid in general cleanup. Dates and locations will be announced.

Recycling: Rules for recycling are the same as the rest of the county. BLUE BIN: Plastic containers (#1 through #7), aluminum cans, glass bottles & jars, aluminum foil & pans, drink boxes, milk and juice cartons. YELLOW BIN: Newspapers & magazines catalogs phone books, paper bags, corrugated cardboard (flattened and cut to 3'x3' sections maximum).

If you need new free recycle bins, contact the Solid Waste Authority or click here to order online.