Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Atlanta
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.
Green or Black cart Bin (Trash)
All household trash must be bagged before being placed in the garbage cart to prevent litter. Carts must be placed at the curb by 7:00 AM on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Standard municipal solid waste
Blue cart (Cartlanta) Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables. Place items loosely inside the blue cart. Carts must have 3 feet of clearance from obstacles like mailboxes and parked cars.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper (mixed paper, newspaper, magazines)
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (empty and dry)
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or film
- ✕Glass bottles and jars (use specific drop-offs or CHaRM)
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food-soiled paper
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in heavy-duty paper yard waste bags or a reusable personal container marked 'Yard Debris'. Limbs must be tied in bundles weighing no more than 50 pounds.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Pine straw
- ✓Brush and twigs
- ✓Tree limbs (under 4 feet long and 6 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Up to 12 scheduled collections per calendar year per residence.
Placement
Place bulk items curbside the night before or by 7:00 AM on the scheduled collection day. Do not block sidewalks, fire hydrants, or place items under low-hanging wires.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, dressers, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Large household appliances
- ✓ Up to 4 passenger car tires (off the rim)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (contractor waste)
- ✕ Hazardous materials (paint, chemicals)
- ✕ Automotive parts
- ✕ Dirt, rock, or concrete
The 12 scheduled pickups are free for eligible residents. Excess debris or unauthorized illegal dumping may result in fines or cleanup fees.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When an observed holiday falls on a weekday, solid waste collection services for that day and the remainder of the week will be delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste collection is subject to the same one-day delay as trash and recycling during holiday weeks.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, normal collection schedules typically apply, but always check ATL311 for official updates.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Blue Cart
Bagging your recyclables or tossing loose grocery bags into your blue Cartlanta bin is the quickest way to contaminate an entire truckload. Always toss recyclables loosely into the bin.
Glass Requires Special Handling
Atlanta no longer accepts glass in curbside single-stream recycling. Taking your glass bottles to CHaRM or designated city glass drop-off dumpsters ensures it is actually recycled.
No 'Wishcycling' Hoses or Wires
Never place garden hoses, Christmas lights, or extension cords in the recycling bin. These 'tanglers' cause severe damage to the city's recycling facility equipment.
Seasonal Information
Fall
October to DecemberDuring peak leaf drop, yard waste volume surges. Ensure all leaves are packed exclusively in paper lawn bags. The city will not collect leaves raked directly into the street.
Winter
Late December to JanuaryPost-holiday tree recycling is highly encouraged. Remove all lights, ornaments, and stands, and take your tree to a designated 'Bring One for the Chipper' drop-off location to be turned into mulch.
Summer
June to AugustAtlanta's heat can cause severe odors in garbage bins. Securely double-bag all food waste and clean your green cart periodically with mild soap and water to deter pests.
About Atlanta Waste Management
Atlanta's Integrated ATL311 Solid Waste System
The City of Atlanta manages its residential waste collection through the centralized ATL311 hub. Whether you need to request a bin repair, report a missed pickup, or schedule a bulk trash collection, the ATL311 portal and mobile app serve as the primary gateway for all Department of Public Works services. Residents must place their designated carts curbside by 7:00 AM on their scheduled collection day to ensure timely service.
Navigating the Cartlanta Recycling Program
Through the Cartlanta initiative, Atlanta aims to drastically reduce the volume of waste sent to local landfills. Residents are provided with large blue recycling roll carts for single-stream recycling. It is vital to keep recyclables loose in the cart—never bagged in plastic—as plastic film wraps around the sorting machinery at the material recovery facility, causing costly breakdowns and delays.
Scheduling Bulk Trash Pickups in the A
Got an old sofa or broken refrigerator taking up space? Atlanta offers single-family residential customers up to 12 scheduled bulk waste collections per calendar year at no additional charge. However, these pickups do not happen automatically; you must proactively schedule an appointment through ATL311. Be sure to separate standard bulk items from yard trimmings and scrap tires, as these are collected by different specialized trucks.
Strict Yard Trimmings Regulations
Atlanta’s tree canopy is famous, which means heavy seasonal leaf and limb debris. The city strictly prohibits the use of plastic bags for yard waste. All leaves, grass clippings, and small twigs must be placed in biodegradable paper yard bags or clearly marked personal rigid containers. Limbs must be cut down to four feet or less in length and tied into manageable bundles to qualify for curbside removal.
Using CHaRM for Hard-to-Recycle Materials
Not everything fits safely into your curbside bins. For hazardous household chemicals, old electronics, paint, and stretchy plastic grocery bags, Atlanta residents rely on the CHaRM (Center for Hard to Recycle Materials) facility in southeast Atlanta. Utilizing CHaRM ensures that toxic substances stay out of Georgia's waterways and that valuable, complex materials are successfully recovered and repurposed.
Drop-off Facilities
CHaRM (Center for Hard to Recycle Materials)
1110 Hill St SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I report a missed trash pickup in Atlanta?
If your bin was curbside by 7:00 AM but was not collected, you must report the missed pickup to ATL311 within 24 hours. You can do this by calling 404-546-0311, visiting the ATL311 website, or using the ATL311 mobile app.
Does Atlanta recycle glass in the blue curbside carts?
No, the City of Atlanta does not accept glass in the single-stream blue recycling carts. Residents are encouraged to take empty, clean glass containers to the CHaRM facility or to one of the city's designated glass recycling drop-off locations.
How do I request a bulky item pickup?
Eligible residents receive up to 12 free bulk trash pickups a year. You must schedule the collection in advance by contacting ATL311 online or by phone. Do not place bulk items at the curb until your appointment is confirmed.
Can I put my grass clippings in black plastic garbage bags?
No. Atlanta's Solid Waste Services strictly forbids plastic bags for yard debris. Grass clippings, leaves, and small brush must be placed in heavy-duty paper yard bags or an unlined personal garbage can clearly marked for yard trimmings.