Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Brookhaven
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 roll cart (County-issued 95-gallon or 65-gallon) Bin (Trash)
All trash MUST be enclosed in secure plastic bags before being placed inside the cart. Lids must close completely. Loose garbage and extra bags outside the cart are prohibited. Place curbside by 7:00 AM on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food scraps
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Tightly wrapped pet waste
Blue roll cart (County-issued 65-gallon or 35-gallon) Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be kept completely loose inside the blue cart (do not use plastic bags). Only official county-issued carts are serviced. Must subscribe to the county recycling program.
Accepted Items
- ✓Mixed office paper, newspaper, and magazines
- ✓Flattened cardboard boxes (up to 10 boxes)
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers (#1 and #2 ONLY)
- ✓Aluminum, steel, and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Glass bottles and jars (requires glass drop-off)
- ✕Plastic grocery bags or plastic film
- ✕Plastics #3 through #7
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Food-soiled paper and pizza boxes
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in biodegradable paper bags or unlined durable containers (up to 40 gallons, max 5 per week). Plastic bags are strictly banned. Limbs must be bundled and tied, weighing under 25 lbs per piece.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Pine straw and garden trimmings
- ✓Small brush and twigs
- ✓Tree limbs under 4 feet long and 3 inches in diameter
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand by scheduled request.
Placement
Place items neatly at the curb before submitting your request. Do not block mailboxes, sidewalks, flower beds, fire hydrants, or storm drains.
Accepted
- ✓ Household furniture (sofas, tables, chairs, dressers)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ White goods (refrigerators and freezers with doors removed, washers, dryers)
- ✓ Flattened cardboard (up to 10 boxes free)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Scrap tires (must be taken to landfill)
- ✕ Hazardous waste, wet paint, and chemicals
- ✕ Construction and demolition materials (lumber, drywall, concrete)
- ✕ Tree limbs cut by professional contractors
Standard bulky items are serviced at no charge upon request. Heavy or high-volume collections incur fees ($100 minimum, $225 per truckload for general special collection; $200 minimum for large tree parts over 3 inches in diameter).
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When an observed holiday falls on a weekday, sanitation collections for that day and all subsequent days in that week shift back by exactly one day (e.g., Thursday services run Friday, Friday services run Saturday).
Yard Waste Exception
Yard trimmings follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as garbage and recycling, since all three services are collected on the same day.
If an observed holiday falls on a weekend, standard weekday collection schedules remain unaffected.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Recycle Only Rigid Plastics #1 and #2
DeKalb County accepts only plastic containers labeled #1 or #2 in the curbside blue roll-cart. Clamshell takeout trays, styrofoam, and plastics labeled #3 through #7 cause processing contamination and belong in the green garbage cart.
Keep Glass Out of the Blue Bin
Glass breaks during collection and shatters into paper bales, rendering them unrecyclable. Take all clean glass bottles and jars to one of DeKalb County's dedicated glass drop-box containers located throughout the county.
No Plastic Bags for Yard Trimmings
Never pack leaves or grass clippings in plastic garbage bags. Collection crews will tag and leave plastic-bagged yard debris behind. Always use heavy-duty paper lawn bags or personal 40-gallon cans.
Seasonal Information
Fall
October to DecemberFall leaf accumulation can quickly exceed weekly limits. Remember that curbside yard waste is capped at 5 paper bags or cans per week without a special collection request. Plan cleanups across multiple weeks or submit a special collection request.
Winter
Late December to JanuaryDuring holiday weeks, service schedules shift back by one day if a holiday falls on a weekday. Live Christmas trees can be placed curbside during yard waste collection once all stands, tinsel, lights, and ornaments are removed.
Summer
June to AugustHot humid weather in Metro Atlanta speeds up organic decomposition. Ensure all household garbage is tightly tied in plastic bags before placing it in your green cart to minimize odors and prevent maggots or flies.
About Brookhaven Waste Management
DeKalb County’s Unified Single-Day Waste Service in Brookhaven
Residential solid waste management in Brookhaven is provided directly by the DeKalb County Sanitation Division. To streamline community collection, all three waste streams—household garbage, curbside single-stream recycling, and yard trimmings—are serviced on the exact same day each week. Brookhaven residents must ensure county-issued green trash carts and blue recycling carts are placed curbside between 7:00 PM the evening before and 7:00 AM on their assigned collection day.
Subscribing to Curbside Single-Stream Recycling
While basic garbage pickup is automatic for single-family residences, participation in curbside recycling requires subscribing with the DeKalb County Sanitation Division to receive an official blue roll cart. Recyclables must always be placed loose inside the blue container—never bagged in plastic or film—so automated sorting machinery at regional material recovery facilities can process clean paper, cardboard, metal cans, and rigid plastics without mechanical jams.
Strict Yard Trimmings Regulations and Paper Bag Mandate
Maintaining Brookhaven’s lush tree canopy and urban gardens requires strict adherence to organic waste disposal rules. DeKalb County mandates that all grass clippings, leaves, and small garden debris be packed into heavy-duty biodegradable paper bags or durable plastic/metal containers up to 40 gallons. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited for yard waste. Tree branches must be cut to four feet or less in length, tied securely into bundles, and weigh no more than 25 pounds per piece.
Special Collections and Bulky Item Requests
Oversized household goods such as sofas, mattresses, and major kitchen appliances cannot go into standard green trash roll carts. Brookhaven residents must submit a formal Bulky Item Request online or via email before crews will schedule removal. Standard bulk pickups are typically completed within 10 business days. Excessive piles, tree trunks over three inches in diameter, or contractor waste require an on-site assessment and a prepaid special collection fee prior to pickup.
Free Landfill Compost Program for Brookhaven Residents
Organic yard debris collected across Brookhaven is transported to the Seminole Road Landfill, where it is repurposed into nutrient-rich compost. As a community benefit, DeKalb County offers free compost pick-up to residents at designated county drop-off sites. Alternatively, residents can arrange for bulk compost home delivery for a nominal fee of $7.50 per cubic yard (with a 10-cubic-yard minimum).
Drop-off Facilities
Seminole Road Landfill
4203 Clevemont Rd, Ellenwood, GA 30294
Materials Accepted
DeKalb Sanitation Administrative Office
3720 Leroy Scott Dr, Decatur, GA 30032
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who handles trash and recycling in Brookhaven, Georgia?
Trash, single-stream recycling, and yard waste services in Brookhaven are managed by the DeKalb County Sanitation Division. All three waste streams are collected on a single assigned day each week.
Can I put glass in my blue curbside recycling cart in Brookhaven?
No. Glass containers are strictly prohibited in DeKalb County's blue curbside roll-carts because broken glass contaminates paper bales. You must take glass bottles and jars to official county glass drop-box locations.
How do I schedule a pickup for a couch or appliance in Brookhaven?
First, place the bulky item at the curb. Next, submit a Bulky Item Request online at dekalbcountyga.gov or email [email protected]. Standard collections occur within 10 business days.
What are the rules for bagging yard waste in Brookhaven?
All leaves, grass, and garden trimmings must be packed into heavy-duty paper lawn bags or unlined metal/plastic cans up to 40 gallons. Plastic bags are strictly banned for yard waste. Tree limbs must be under 4 feet, bundled, and weigh under 25 lbs.