It may be one of the more unusual reasons for a homeowner to want to be a part of a city — because of garbage.

But when the city of Pinson’s new garbage contract kicked in this month, there were quite a few residents who didn’t get the new trash and recycling bins, and then they found out why.

In the property-by-property process by which annexation into Alabama cities takes place, their properties were not inside the city limits, even when their next door neighbors were.

That has prompted a rush of annexation requests for the city, and the Pinson City Council approved 15 such annexations in six separate actions at their regular meeting Thursday night. And as is his tradition, Councilman Joe Cochran met each approval with the greeting, “Welcome to Pinson!”

The city’s new trash containers — colored maroon to match Pinson Valley High School’s colors — have been rolled out to current city residents. One container is for normal trash, while the other is for recyclable materials. (Glass is specifically excluded from recyclables.)

Previously, Pinson residents had been served by garbage pickup services, which also served those outside the city limits. Council members awarded a new citywide contract to Advanced Disposal earlier this year, and service began on April 1.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Cochran said. “There have been a few glitches at first, but people are getting improved service at lower prices, and people want to participate in that.”

Councilman Robbie Roberts said that some users were having a little trouble distinguishing which containers were for trash. and which for recycling.

“There’s still some educating that needs to be done,” Roberts said. “The recycling stuff goes in the one with the yellow lid.”

An annexation request form has been posted for downloading off the city website, www.thecityofpinson.com — click on the “Forms” tab, then click on “General Forms.”

In other business, the council discussed this week’s bicentennial celebration, which takes place on Saturday in the field behind the Old Rock School Center. A parade begins at 9:30 a.m., starting at Pinson Elementary School and going down Pinson Blvd. (formerly Center Point Road). The main ceremony will begin at 11, and festivities will run all the way to 3 p.m.

Cochran also announced that former Alabama Crimson Tide football star Bobby Humphrey will be the featured speaker at the annual banquet for the Pinson Educational Foundation, which will be held May 4 at the Palmerdale United Methodist Church. Nominations are being accepted for the foundation’s teacher, student and support personnel of the year awards; forms are available at www.pinsoneducationfoundation.org.