Sea Coast Disposal says they will start picking up garbage cans Monday for 700 to 1,000 residents who are behind on their garbage payments.

The number of total customers behind on their garbage bills due Oct. 1 is about a third of Sea Coast’s paying customers in Selma.

According to numbers Sea Coast provided the Selma City Council in September, there are almost 3,200 residences with garbage service in Selma.

That means about half of the city’s households don’t have garbage service despite city ordinances requiring that for occupied residences.

About 750 residents with Social Security as their only form of income are exempt for payment in the city’s contract with Seacoast.

“They are going to start repossessing cans next week,” said Angela Green with Sea Coast.

Customers pay quarterly or monthly. Payment was due Oct. 1 and late after the 10th of each month. If service is stopped for nonpayment, there is a $25 reinstatement fee.

Green said at least 784 accounts are past due in Selma, but that number is probably closer to 1,000. She said she hopes people will take care of their bills before cans are repossessed and charged the $25 fee.

“Normally, when these people pay and get their cans back, we don’t have any more problems,” Green said.

The company has issued similar warnings in the past. In September 2016, almost 1,200 customers were threatened with service termination.

The company accepts payment online, at their office on Highland Avenue or by mail at P.O. Box 365.

The city of Selma had considered a plan to require landlords to be responsible for garbage collection. The idea hasn’t been discussed in several weeks and was met with resistance from landlords.

Between 50 and 60 percent of Selma residents rent.