Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Alpharetta
Georgia municipal collections typically run weekly. Your exact service day is determined by your local county or city zoning schedule.
State Mandate
EPD laws restrict yard trimmings from being mixed with general household garbage.
City-issued 95-gallon or 68-gallon cart Bin (Trash)
Place carts at the curbside no later than 7:00 AM on your scheduled collection day. Excess bags require a prepaid $2 bag tag purchased from City Hall.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Dried paint (must be fully hardened)
City-issued 65-gallon cart Bin (Recycling)
Items must be clean, empty, and placed loosely in the recycling cart without bags. Place curbside by 7:00 AM.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard and pizza boxes (no food)
- ✓Mixed paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Plastics #1 and #2 (bottles and jugs)
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass of any kind
- ✕Plastic grocery and takeout bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Aerosol spray cans
- ✕Batteries
Yard Waste Bin
Must be in paper lawn bags (max 10 bags) or 35-gallon personal containers (max 5 containers). Limbs must be tied in bundles (max 10 bundles). Place by 7:00 AM.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Tree limbs (max 3 feet long and 6 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
As needed, on your regular service day, but strictly by advance appointment.
Placement
Once confirmed, place bulky items at the curb no later than 7:00 AM on your scheduled collection day. Ensure items do not block mailboxes or the roadway.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, tables, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large appliances (refrigerators must have doors removed)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, chemicals)
- ✕ Tires and auto parts
- ✕ Excess unbagged household garbage
Standard bulky waste pickup is included in your base quarterly sanitation fee at no extra charge, provided you properly request and schedule the service in advance.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled service day falls on a holiday or a subsequent day in that same week, your pickup will be delayed by one day. For example, a Wednesday holiday pushes Wednesday service to Thursday, and Friday service to Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste and bulky waste pickups follow the exact same one-day holiday delay schedule as your regular trash and recycling collections.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, your collection schedule for the following week will typically not be affected.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Glass Goes to Public Works
Glass is strictly prohibited in Alpharetta's curbside recycling carts because it shatters and contaminates paper bales. Instead, drop off your clean glass recyclables 24/7 at the Alpharetta Department of Public Works on Hembree Road.
Do Not Bag Your Recyclables
Keep all recyclables completely loose inside your 65-gallon cart. Plastic grocery bags and thin takeout film jam the sorting machinery at Republic Services' material recovery facilities.
Dry Out Your Paint Completely
Wet paint cannot be thrown in your regular trash cart. If you cannot donate usable paint, you must mix it with kitty litter or a commercial hardener until it is entirely solid before placing the cans in your household garbage.
Seasonal Information
Spring/Summer
June to JulySanitation billing is managed by the City. Remember that you can secure a 5% discount on your base quarterly rates if you make a non-refundable annual payment in advance between June 1st and July 1st.
Fall
October to DecemberDuring peak leaf collection season, ensure you do not exceed the 10 paper lawn bag maximum per week. Never blow excess leaves into the street or storm drains, as this violates City ordinances.
Year-Round
All YearWeather and severe storms can disrupt Republic Services routes. Sign up for the City of Alpharetta's Sanitation Text Notification Opt-In via the city website to receive immediate SMS alerts about service delays.
About Alpharetta Waste Management
Alpharetta's Mandatory Republic Services Contract
The City of Alpharetta mandates that all residential sanitation services are handled through an exclusive municipal contract with Republic Services. This fee-based service is billed quarterly in advance directly by the City. The comprehensive base package covers weekly household garbage, recycling, yard waste, and bulky item collection. Residents can opt for a slight discount by paying their entire annual bill in full before July 1st of each service year.
Senior and Disability Assistance Programs
Alpharetta provides tremendous support for its senior and disabled residents. Customers who are 65 years and older, or those with specific disabilities, are eligible to pay a heavily reduced quarterly sanitation rate. Furthermore, residents meeting certain income restrictions can qualify to receive their waste collection services completely free of charge, which includes a complimentary backdoor pickup service for those with mobility challenges.
Protecting the Stormwater System from Yard Debris
City code enforcement in Alpharetta strictly monitors illicit stormwater discharges. Local ordinances expressly prohibit residents and landscaping crews from blowing or dumping grass clippings, leaves, and yard debris into streets, drainage ditches, or storm drains. Violating this rule can result in hefty fines, as clogs lead to localized flooding and severely pollute local Georgia waterways. All yard debris must be properly bagged or containerized for weekly pickup.
The Alpharetta Latex Paint Recycling Initiative
Instead of tossing usable paint into the trash, Alpharetta residents can take advantage of a specialized Latex Paint Recycling Program operated by the Public Works Department. By making a pre-arranged appointment, residents can drop off up to 100 pounds of usable, non-leaking, unmixed latex paint completely free of charge at the Hembree Road facility. Note that this program is exclusively for usable latex—oil-based paints or fully dried paints are not accepted.
Mandatory Cart Tagging for Overflow Garbage
If your household generates more trash than can fit into your 95-gallon or 68-gallon Republic Services cart, you cannot simply leave extra plastic bags on the curb. Any personal trash containers or loose plastic bags placed outside the official City cart must have a prepaid $2.00 bag tag affixed to them. These tags can be purchased in person at Alpharetta City Hall on Park Plaza.
Drop-off Facilities
Alpharetta Department of Public Works
1790 Hembree Road, Alpharetta, GA 30009
Materials Accepted
Roswell Recycling Center (For Fulton County Residents)
11570 Maxwell Road, Alpharetta, GA 30009
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of large furniture in Alpharetta?
Bulky waste collection is included in your quarterly sanitation fee, but it is not automatic. You must request the pickup at least 72 hours in advance by submitting the online Bulky Waste Pickup Form on the City's website or calling Republic Services at 678-407-6216.
Does Alpharetta recycle glass at the curb?
No. Glass is strictly prohibited in the 65-gallon curbside recycling carts. Residents who wish to recycle glass must take it to the Alpharetta Department of Public Works collection facility at 1790 Hembree Road, which is accessible 24/7.
What should I do if my garbage doesn't fit in my Republic cart?
If you have excess garbage, you cannot simply leave loose bags on the curb. You must purchase $2 bag tags from City Hall (2 Park Plaza) and affix one to each extra bag or personal container. Un-tagged overflow will not be collected.
Are there discounts available for senior citizens in Alpharetta?
Yes! Residents 65 years and older, as well as those with qualifying disabilities, receive a significantly reduced quarterly rate of $41.53. Seniors meeting specific income requirements may even qualify for free service and backdoor pickup by submitting the Senior/Disability Application.