BALDWIN CO., Ala. — The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office plans to execute warrants on approximately 40 individuals for not complying with the state’s mandatory solid waste collection law.

That word came in a press release issued Thursday by BCSO. The release also noted BCSO is finalizing plans to arrest the 40 on alias warrants that have been issued due to their failure to appear in court to answer the original complaint against them.

The court in question is District Court, according to Mike Langham, administrative services manager for the Baldwin County Solid Waste Disposal Authority. He described the 40 as individuals whose names were turned over to District Court but who failed to appear in court.

Those facing warrants for arrest in this case are primarily residential customers, Langham said. Also, they are not from one concentrated area of the county but countywide.

“For nine out of 10 of them it’s failure to comply by not signing up (for solid waste collection), not paying the bill, or failing to put solid waste out for collection,” he said.

According to Langham, solid waste collection by the county costs customers $11.85 per month. When a customer’s bill has reached $71.10 - that’s two quarterly billings - the county still doesn’t consider it delinquent. Generally, the county tries to work with customers for a minimum of nine months before taking legal action, Langham said.

Those whose names get turned in at District Court are the ones who generally won’t reply to the county’s attempts to settle the complaint against them, Langham said.

The BCSO release notes that those who have an alias warrant for their arrest in connection with failing to comply with mandatory solid waste collection may post bond at the Baldwin County Clerk’s Office on their own. The alternative is being arrested and taken to the Baldwin County Correction Center.

Alabama’s Solid Waste Disposal Act authorizes local governing bodies - either municipal governments or the county commission - to provide for collection and disposal of solid waste in a manner that meets Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) regulations.

Among other things, the Act declares unauthorized dumps a public nuisance and mandates subscription to and participation in a collection system unless a certificate of exception has been granted.

Those who are uncertain concerning their compliance with the mandatory solid waste law should contact the Magnolia Landfill at 251-972-6878.