Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Atlanta
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday once per week, depending on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Weekly on the same day as your scheduled trash collection.
Yard Waste
Every other week on your regular collection day.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Solid waste fees are assessed annually and billed directly through your county tax commissioner (Fulton or DeKalb County) rather than on a monthly utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Annual
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In Person, Phone
Pro Tip / Discount
Senior citizens (age 65+) meeting household income criteria may qualify for a discounted solid waste service rate.
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Atlanta Trash & Recycling Schedule Overview
Navigating your local sanitation services in the City of Atlanta is straightforward, as the Department of Public Works ensures residents receive reliable solid waste collection. Garbage, recycling, and yard waste streams are conveniently serviced on the same day each week for your specific address. This unified approach takes the guesswork out of remembering different schedules. To find your exact collection day, residents can utilize the official Solid Waste Services Collection Tool available on the ATL311 website. Staying informed about your weekly schedule guarantees a cleaner, more hygienic neighborhood while minimizing the risk of missed pickups.
Proper Bin Placement & Timing Guidelines
Following the city's strict bin placement rules ensures smooth and efficient collection routes. All carts must be placed at the curbside no later than 7:00 AM on your designated collection morning, but they should not be placed out before 7:00 PM the evening prior. Keep the lids fully closed to prevent litter from blowing into the streets and ensure that overflow bags are neatly arranged next to the primary container. Additionally, leave a minimum clearance of three feet around the garbage and recycling carts so the automated trucks can grab them without interference from parked cars, mailboxes, or utility poles. Promptly returning your empty bins from the curb by 9:00 AM the following day helps maintain community aesthetics.
Atlanta Recycling Rules: What Goes in the Blue Cart
The city utilizes a single-stream recycling program, meaning all approved recyclables go directly into the standard 96-gallon blue cart without the need to sort them manually. You can safely recycle flattened cardboard, clean paper, mail, as well as empty plastic and metal bottles. It is crucial to remember that recyclables must remain loose and unbagged. Never toss plastic bags, styrofoam, food-soiled containers, or tangled wires into your blue cart, as these materials disrupt the sorting facilities and contaminate otherwise reusable items. Taking a few extra seconds to rinse out food containers can significantly boost the overall success of the city's environmental efforts.
Yard Trimmings Pickup Service
Landscaping and lawn maintenance generate substantial debris, especially during the fall season. In Atlanta, yard trimmings are collected every other week on your normal collection day. Property owners must place leaves, grass clippings, and small twigs inside biodegradable paper yard bags or properly labeled reusable containers. Branches need to be securely tied in bundles that do not exceed four feet in length and four inches in diameter. The city accepts up to 20 paper bags per pickup. If a massive landscaping project results in more than 20 bags, this load instantly qualifies as bulk rubbish, requiring you to arrange a specialized collection appointment.
How to Schedule Bulk Waste Disposal
One of the greatest perks for Atlanta residents is the provision of 12 free on-demand bulk waste pickups per calendar year for single-family households. This service covers large, cumbersome items like old furniture, rolled carpeting, mattresses, and major household appliances. Unlike standard trash, bulk items are not collected automatically; you must proactively schedule an appointment through ATL311 via phone or the online portal. When approved, simply place the oversized materials in the right-of-way directly in front of your property, being mindful not to block sidewalks or street traffic. Keep in mind that construction materials, tires, and automotive parts are strictly prohibited from this program.
Handling Missed Pickups and Holiday Delays
Occasionally, severe weather or mechanical issues might cause a missed pickup. If you followed all placement rules and your bins were skipped, report the issue to ATL311 within 24 hours so a specialized crew can swing back through the neighborhood. Furthermore, the Atlanta trash holiday schedule automatically shifts your collection day when major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Martin Luther King Jr. Day occur. During a holiday week, standard service gets delayed by exactly one day for the remainder of that week. Downloading the local Solid Waste Services app on your smartphone is the smartest way to receive instant alerts about weather suspensions or holiday shifts.
Drop-off Facilities
CHaRM (Center for Hard to Recycle Materials)
1110 Hill St SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time should I put my trash bins out in Atlanta?
You must place your garbage and recycling carts at the curb by 7:00 AM on your scheduled collection day, but no earlier than 7:00 PM the night before. Carts must be retrieved by 9:00 AM the day after collection.
How do I schedule a bulk pickup in Atlanta?
Residents can easily schedule one of their 12 free annual bulk collections by contacting ATL311 by phone at 404-546-0311, using the ATL311 website, or requesting it through the city's official mobile app.
Are plastic grocery bags allowed in my recycling cart?
No, plastic bags and films are strictly prohibited in the blue recycling carts because they jam the machinery at the sorting facility. Instead, take clean plastic bags to designated drop-off bins located at local grocery stores.