St. Paul residents have until Friday to tell the city which trash cart they want and how often they want it picked up when a new organized trash collection system begins this fall.

The city mailed information about cart size and service options to property owners in May, along with postcards that had to be mailed back by June 1. Residents who haven't yet responded can submit their choice online at www.cartsize.net or by calling 888-287-7998 by June 8.

Lisa Hiebert, a spokeswoman for the city Department of Public Works, said the department allowed extra time in case residents lost their postcard, had additional questions or, in the case of landlords, needed time to connect with tenants.

Under the new system, haulers will collect trash in designated areas instead of crisscrossing the city. All residential property owners of households with up to four units, including rentals and townhouses, will be required to participate in citywide garbage services.

The system is scheduled to roll out Oct. 1, but it has already gotten pushback from residents. Highland Park resident Peter Butler filed a lawsuit against the city late last month, claiming the trash collection system's pricing structure illegally favors people who create more garbage.

Emma Nelson