Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Calhoun
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.
Typically Green or Black (96-gallon heavy-duty cart) Bin (Trash)
Place the cart out the night before your scheduled pickup. The handle must face the house and the front must face the street. Maintain a 3-foot clearance from mailboxes, cars, and other carts.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Small, non-hazardous household items
N/A (Drop-Off Only) Bin (Recycling)
Residents must transport their recyclables directly to the Calhoun Recycling Center at 215 Pine Street. Materials should be clean, dry, and separated into the appropriate bins.
Accepted Items
- ✓Mixed paper and cardboard
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic containers
- ✓Glass bottles and food jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Window glass and mirrors
- ✕Ceramic cups and plates
- ✕Light bulbs
- ✕Heat-resistant ovenware (Pyrex)
- ✕Styrofoam
Yard Waste Bin
Brush and yard waste are collected by the City of Calhoun Street Department. Residents must call (706) 629-4473 to coordinate services. Do not mix yard debris with regular garbage.
Accepted Items
- ✓Brush
- ✓Tree limbs
- ✓Yard trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By Request or Drop-off
Placement
If a bulk pickup is scheduled, place items at the curb away from your standard garbage cart, mailboxes, and low-hanging wires.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large household appliances
Not Accepted
- ✕ Lithium-ion batteries
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals
- ✕ Wet paint
- ✕ Tires (unless taken to a specific recycling event)
Scheduling bulk item removal with the private hauler requires an additional fee. Alternatively, dropping off large items at the Gordon County Landfill incurs a fee based on the weight of the load.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled garbage pickup falls on or after a major holiday, service may be delayed by one day. Residents are advised to leave their containers out as normal, and the hauler will collect it as soon as possible, usually by Friday.
Yard Waste Exception
The Street Department suspends non-essential brush collections on city-observed holidays. Contact the department directly to confirm post-holiday route adjustments.
For exact holiday pickup days, residents can call Mauldin Trash Service at 706-337-2603.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Always Bag Your Garbage
Mauldin Trash Service requires all household waste to be bagged before it is placed into the 96-gallon cart. Throwing loose trash into the bin can cause it to stick to the bottom, preventing the mechanical arm from fully emptying the cart.
Sort Glass Properly at the Center
When using the glass recycling drop-off, remember that only container glass (bottles and jars) is accepted. Items like drinking glasses, clay pots, and window panes have different melting temperatures and will contaminate the entire batch.
Keep Brush Piles Pure
When placing yard debris on the right-of-way for the Street Department, ensure the pile is strictly organic. Mixing in treated lumber, fencing, or household trash will cause crews to reject the pickup.
Seasonal Information
Spring
March to MayKeep an eye out for the annual 'Keep Calhoun Gordon Beautiful' spring cleanup event. This is the perfect time to clear out your garage, as they accept electronics, appliances, and scrap metal free of charge.
Autumn
October to DecemberAs leaves fall, yard waste volume increases. Be sure to pile brush and leaves safely on the right-of-way, taking special care not to block sidewalks, street gutters, or storm water drains to prevent localized flooding.
Winter
Late December to JanuaryHoliday schedules will affect pickup times. If a major holiday falls on a weekday, Mauldin Trash Service may run a day behind. Leave your cart at the curb; crews typically catch up by Friday.
About Calhoun Waste Management
Dual-System Waste Management Approach
The City of Calhoun utilizes a dual approach to manage residential waste. While the municipal Street Department handles brush, limb, and yard waste collection, standard weekly household garbage pickup is privatized and managed through a contract with Mauldin Trash Service. This partnership ensures that residents receive reliable weekly bin service while public works crews maintain the city's green spaces and manage heavier organic debris.
The Calhoun Recycling Center on Pine Street
Instead of utilizing standard curbside recycling bins, the city centralizes its recycling efforts at the Calhoun Recycling Center, located at 215 Pine Street. Open six days a week, this robust drop-off facility accepts a wide range of materials, including mixed paper, cardboard, tin, aluminum, and plastics. This model helps keep utility costs down by drastically reducing the contamination rates often seen in single-stream curbside programs.
Embracing Glass Recycling
While many North Georgia municipalities have suspended glass recycling due to high processing costs, the City of Calhoun actively encourages it at the Pine Street facility. Residents can easily drop off clean soda, beer, wine, and liquor bottles, as well as glass food jars. It is critical, however, to keep non-container glass out of the bins—mirrors, ceramics, and Pyrex are strictly prohibited.
Keep Calhoun Gordon Beautiful Events
To supplement regular disposal methods, the city partners closely with the 'Keep Calhoun Gordon Beautiful' initiative. Throughout the spring and fall, this organization hosts free community events that allow residents to safely recycle hard-to-dispose-of items such as electronics, batteries, wet paint, scrap metal, and sensitive documents for shredding.
Drop-off Facilities
Calhoun Recycling Center
215 Pine St, Calhoun, GA 30701
Materials Accepted
Redbone Ridges MSW Landfill (Gordon County)
1224 Pleasant Hill Road Extension, Ranger, GA 30734
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for trash pickup in the City of Calhoun?
Residential household garbage is collected by Mauldin Trash Service, a private contractor. Brush, limbs, and yard waste are collected separately by the City of Calhoun Street Department.
Does Calhoun provide curbside recycling bins?
No, the city does not operate a curbside recycling program. Instead, residents can drop off paper, cardboard, plastics, aluminum, and glass at the Calhoun Recycling Center located at 215 Pine Street.
How do I request a brush or yard waste pickup?
To schedule a pickup for brush, tree limbs, or yard trimmings, you need to contact the City of Calhoun Street Department directly by calling (706) 629-4473.
What are the rules for placing my garbage cart at the curb?
Mauldin Trash Service requires you to bag all your trash and place the 96-gallon cart out the night before collection. The handle must face your home, the front must face the street, and there must be a 3-foot clearance around the cart.