Thanksgiving Week Brings Adjusted Trash Schedules in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Foley – Orange Beach News

Report on Municipal Service Adjustments and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Holiday Schedule Modifications in Coastal Alabama

This report details the operational adjustments to municipal services in the cities of Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, and Foley during the Thanksgiving holiday week, specifically November 27th and 28th. These modifications to sanitation and administrative services underscore the importance of robust municipal planning to maintain public health and environmental standards. The scheduled changes directly impact the community’s ability to contribute to key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), by ensuring the continuity of waste management systems.

General Impact on Waste Management and SDG Contribution

All three municipalities have announced temporary closures of non-essential offices and significant alterations to garbage, recycling, and debris collection routes. These proactive adjustments are essential for managing waste streams effectively during a period of altered residential patterns. Public cooperation in adhering to the revised schedules is critical for the successful implementation of these plans, thereby supporting municipal efforts to achieve SDG 11.6, which focuses on reducing the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities through efficient waste management. The emphasis on recycling services, even with modified schedules, reinforces commitment to SDG 12.5, aimed at substantially reducing waste generation.

City of Orange Beach: Service Continuity Plan

• Administrative Offices: Non-essential city offices will be closed on Thursday, November 27th, and Friday, November 28th. Normal operations will resume on Monday, December 1st.
• Sanitation Services: To ensure uninterrupted service and uphold community sanitation standards in line with SDG 11, the standard Friday residential trash routes will be collected on Saturday, November 29th. All other routes for the week will operate on their normal schedule.

City of Gulf Shores: Prioritizing Recycling and Waste Collection

The City of Gulf Shores has structured its schedule to ensure that both waste disposal and recycling opportunities are maintained, reflecting a strong commitment to the principles of SDG 12.

1. Garbage and Recycling Collection: There will be no collection by Republic Services on Thursday, November 27th. Thursday’s routes will be collected on Friday, November 28th. The City Recycling Center will remain open for drop-offs, providing a crucial resource for residents dedicated to responsible consumption.
2. Yard Debris and Bulky Items: Service will be suspended on Thursday, November 27th, and Friday, November 28th. To compensate, collection for these routes will be conducted between Monday, November 24th, and Wednesday, November 26th. Residents are advised to have all materials curbside by Sunday, November 23rd, to facilitate this consolidated effort.

City of Foley: Consolidated Schedule for Efficient Operations

Foley’s Public Works department has implemented a consolidated collection schedule to maximize efficiency and maintain service levels, contributing to a well-managed urban environment as envisioned by SDG 11.

• Office Closures: The Public Works office will be closed on Thursday, November 27th, and Friday, November 28th, 2025.
• Garbage and Recycling: Services are consolidated into the early part of the week to ensure all waste is collected before the holiday.
  • Routes normally serviced on Tuesday and Thursday will be collected on Tuesday, November 25th.
  • Routes normally serviced on Wednesday and Friday will be collected on Wednesday, November 26th.
• Limbs and Bulk Debris: Collection will resume its regular pattern following the holiday. Residents are advised that potential delays may occur as crews work to catch up.
• Important Reminder: All collection routes commence at 6:00 a.m. Timely placement of bins and materials is essential for successful service delivery.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  This goal is directly addressed as the article’s entire focus is on municipal services within three cities: Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, and Foley. It discusses the management of solid waste, which is a critical component of creating sustainable and functional urban environments.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  This goal is connected through the specific mention of recycling services. The article details schedules for “recycling pickup” in Gulf Shores and Foley, which aligns with the goal of promoting sustainable practices to reduce waste.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 11.6: Reduce the environmental impact of cities

   The target states, “By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.” The article is exclusively about the operational details of municipal waste management, including the collection of garbage, yard debris, and bulky items. The organized collection schedules in all three cities are a direct implementation of this target.

2. Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation

   This target aims to “By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.” The article’s mention of dedicated recycling services, such as “Republic Services Garbage and Recycling pickup” in Gulf Shores and “garbage/recycle” pickup in Foley, directly supports this target by providing infrastructure for residents to participate in recycling.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 11.6

  The official indicator is 11.6.1: “Proportion of municipal solid waste collected and managed in controlled facilities out of total municipal solid waste generated, by cities.” While the article does not provide quantitative data, it provides qualitative evidence of progress. The existence of established and scheduled services for “trash pickup,” “Yard Debris/Bulky Items Pickup,” and “Limbs/Yard debris/Bulk” in all three cities implies a system for collecting municipal solid waste. The detailed holiday schedule adjustments demonstrate an active and managed waste collection system.

• Indicator for Target 12.5

  The official indicator is 12.5.1: “National recycling rate, tons of material recycled.” The article implies progress toward this indicator by confirming the existence of recycling infrastructure. The specific mention of “Recycling pickup” services and a “City of Gulf Shores Recycling Center” that remains “open for drop-offs” are direct indicators that the cities are actively facilitating the separation and collection of recyclable materials from the general waste stream.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: obawebsite.com