Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Athens
Trash Day
Monday through Friday, assigned by neighborhood route across the Urban Service District
Recycling
Collected weekly on the same day as your scheduled trash pickup
Yard Waste
Every 4 weeks by zone (Zones 1–4); materials must be placed curbside by 8:00 AM on the Monday of your assigned week
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
County-collected residential trash and recycling charges are billed directly on your monthly Athens-Clarke County Public Utilities water and sewer statement.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay (Bank Draft), Phone, Mail, In-Person, Drop Box
Blue bin with a black lid Bin (Trash)
Trash must ALWAYS be bagged. The roll-cart must be at the street by 7:00 AM on collection day with the lid completely closed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household trash
- ✓Non-hazardous waste
- ✓Food wrappers
Green bin with a yellow lid Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be kept loose (never bagged). Keep the cart at least 2 feet away from other objects.
Accepted Items
- ✓Paper
- ✓Cardboard
- ✓Metal cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Stretchy film plastic
- ✕Bubble wrap
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Liquid waste
- ✕Glass (take to CHaRM)
Yard Waste Bin
Leaves and grass must be in paper lawn bags (no plastic). Place curbside by 8:00 AM on the Monday of your 4-week rotational collection week.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Pine straw
- ✓Small brush
- ✓Limbs up to 4 inches in diameter and 6 feet long
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Up to 4 free pickups per year for eligible residential customers.
Placement
Place between curb and sidewalk by 7:00 AM on pick-up day, but no earlier than 24 hours prior. Keep 50 feet away from intersections and 10 feet from fire hydrants.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Appliances (refrigerators, washers)
- ✓ Large electronics (TVs)
- ✓ Rugs (cut and bundled)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Propane tanks (take to CHaRM)
- ✕ Yard waste
- ✕ Loose glass or ceramic
- ✕ Construction debris
- ✕ Hazardous materials
No fee for the first four pick-ups annually. Subsequent pick-ups or non-standard items incur special pick-up fees.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Collections are suspended on observed holidays. Pickups for the remainder of the week typically shift by one day. Downtown District services usually remain on the regular schedule.
Yard Waste Exception
Leaf and limb pick-ups may be altered or delayed by major holidays, severe weather events, or staffing issues.
Service suspensions apply to compost, garbage, recycling, and leaf & limb collections for ACC Solid Waste customers.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Fall/Winter
November to JanuaryDuring heavy leaf-fall season, yard waste crews operate on a 4-week zone rotation. Do not place yard debris curbside more than 10 days before your scheduled Monday.
Post-Holidays
Late December to JanuaryLive, undecorated Christmas trees can be dropped off at the ACC Landfill or designated 'Bring One for the Chipper' event sites to be turned into mulch.
Spring/Summer
May to AugustDuring hot, humid Georgia summers, ensure your blue trash bins are securely bagged and the lids tightly closed to prevent pests and odor accumulation.
Local Tips & Community Info
Solid Waste Management in Athens-Clarke County
The unified government of Athens-Clarke County (ACC) takes a highly organized approach to residential sanitation, ensuring the Classic City remains pristine. Through the ACC Solid Waste Department, residents are provided with reliable collection streams for general garbage, recyclables, and seasonal yard waste. Navigating your specific schedule is relatively simple, as the municipal website features an interactive map allowing you to type in your address and instantly view your assigned collection day. Keeping up with these localized routes not only prevents unsightly neighborhood clutter but also safeguards local wildlife from interacting with improperly stored refuse.
Roll Cart Guidelines and Required Collection Times
To guarantee that your household refuse is collected without a hitch, strict set-out protocols must be followed. The Solid Waste Department mandates that all government-issued roll carts be pushed to the curb no later than 7:00 a.m. on the morning of your scheduled pickup. Positioning matters immensely for the automated trucks; ensure the cart handle points toward your residence and the wheels rest tightly against the curb. Furthermore, provide a three-foot clearance radius around each container to prevent accidental damage to nearby vehicles, mailboxes, or utility poles. Carts should be removed from the street by the end of the day.
Curbside Recycling and the CHaRM Facility
Athens boasts a robust environmental culture, highlighted by its single-stream curbside recycling and its renowned Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM). While your standard blue cart accommodates flattened cardboard, plastic bottles, paper, and metal cans, it is strictly forbidden to place plastic grocery bags or tangling wires inside. For complex items that cannot be processed curbside—such as old electronics, liquid paint, batteries, or large scrap metal—residents are encouraged to utilize the CHaRM facility located on College Avenue. This dedicated drop-off center ensures that hazardous and unconventional materials are kept safely out of the local landfill.
Understanding Leaf and Limb Zone Routing
Unlike household garbage, which operates on a standard weekly cycle, the Athens leaf and limb collection runs on an intricate zonal schedule. The county is divided into distinct operational zones, meaning your yard trimmings might be collected on a rotational basis depending on the season and municipal workload. Tree limbs must be cut to manageable lengths (generally under five feet) and stacked neatly behind the curb without obstructing sidewalks. Leaves and grass clippings should be piled separately from woody debris to allow for rapid processing. Residents should consult the latest ACC Leaf and Limb schedule online to anticipate when heavy machinery will sweep through their specific zone.
Scheduling Bulky Item Pickup
When it's time to dispose of an old mattress, broken appliance, or dilapidated couch, you cannot simply drag it to the curb and expect the standard trucks to haul it away. Athens-Clarke County requires residents to schedule a dedicated bulky item pickup in advance. This service is not free; you must submit a work order through the Solid Waste Department and pay a per-item fee before a specialized crew is dispatched. Once the fee is processed and your date is assigned, the item can be placed securely by the roadside for responsible disposal.
Drop-off Facilities
Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM)
1005 College Ave, Athens, GA 30601
Materials Accepted
ACC Landfill
5700 Lexington Rd, Winterville, GA 30683
Materials Accepted
ACC Solid Waste Department (Admin & Overflow Stickers)
725 Hancock Industrial Way, Athens, GA 30605
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do I need to put my trash cart out in Athens?
All garbage and recycling carts must be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day to ensure they are not missed by the automated trucks.
Where can I recycle electronics or paint in Athens-Clarke County?
Materials like paint, electronics, batteries, and styrofoam cannot go in your curbside bin. You must take them to the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) located at 1005 College Avenue.
Will Athens pick up my old furniture for free?
No, bulky item pickup is a fee-based service. Residents must contact the ACC Solid Waste Department to pay the associated per-item fee and schedule a specific date for large furniture or appliance collection.